McGilligan and Conway face bans

McGilligan has guided Derry U21 hurlers to this year's Ulster title

Derry County Board is considering handing eight-week bans to county hurling manager Brian McGilligan and ex-minor football boss Niall Conway.

Derry officials are incensed by media comments by the two bosses which criticised the levels of county board support that their set-ups received.

The county board has told Derry clubs that the duo will be called to answer misconduct charges.

McGilligan responded by saying he would regard any suspension as a "sacking".

Conway quit his post last month, citing "player welfare" as his reason for stepping down.

He led Derry minors to last year's All-Ireland final but they exited this year's Ulster Championship at the semi-final stage after being defeated by Monaghan.

McGilligan invoked the ire of the county officials after claiming that the Derry board was attempting to put the senior hurling team "out of business".

The Dungiven man, who has refused to retract his comments, has led the county under-21s to this year's Ulster title and they are scheduled to face Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi-finals on 23 August.