Dunloy's Gary O'Kane was Ulster hurler of the year in 1999

Dunloy hurler Gary O'Kane has won the February Ulster GAA Writers award.

The former Antrim player helped the Cuchulainn's club to a superb All-Ireland Club Semi-Final win over hot favourites Mount Sion at Mullingar.

Dunloy are now preparing for their All-Ireland decider against holders Birr on St Patrick's Day.

O'Kane was named Ulster Hurler of the Year in 1999 but this is the first occasion he has earned the monthly honour.

The Dunloy captain believes his club can finally claim the elusive club All-Ireland title at Croke Park after losing two deciders in the mid-1990s - including the '94 final against Birr.

"Last year they pipped us in the semi-finals but over the 60 minutes we were the better team," said O'Kane.

The Dunloy centre-back, who edged out team-mates Gareth Magee and Alistair Elliott for the award, picked up sports vouchers from Bass Ireland and Pro Star Sport plus an engraved Belleek China vase.

Meanwhile, Dunloy's opponents Birr will have to take to the field at Croke Park without having boss Pat Joe Whelehan on the sideline.

Kerrigan ban

The Birr boss will be excluded from the pitch enclosure for the next two championship games as a consequence of unauthorised pitch incursions in the game against Athenry.

Whelehan has said that he is devastated by the decision although it remains to be seen what effect it will have on his team.

The Birr manager's ban was one of several handed out on a busy night by the GAA's Games Administration Committee.

Arising from the same game, Athenry pair Eugene Cloonan and David Donohoe of Athenry received eight weeks and twelve weeks suspensions.

Cavan football boss Mattie Kerrigan received a two-match ban for a pitch incursions in his team's game against Fermanagh.

Antrim hurler Aidan Delargy was suspended for twelve weeks for a deliberate striking offence in the game against Down last month.

Colin Cooper gets a four-week ban

Down's Liam Clarke was sent off in the same game but he was exonerated as a result of video evidence.

Monaghan footballer John Conlon was given a 12-week suspension after his sending-off against Wexford last month.

Armagh hurler Brian Mallon was hit by an even heavier penalty.

He received a total suspension of 16 weeks arising from misdemeanours in the NHL games against Cavan and Donegal.

Colm Cooper of Kerry and John Coffey of Waterford were both suspended for four weeks after incidents in the NFL games against Galway and Longford while Kildare's Brian Lacey received a similar ban.

Meanwhile, Kildare's NFL victory over Sligo was overturned because the Lilywhites had incorrectly listed their substitutes prior to the match.

Sligo receive the points in similar fashion to last year's game between the counties when Kildare used one sub too many.