Eight-week bans on cards for trio

Kevin McGuckin and Thomas Freeman have a wrestling match at Celtic Park

The GAA is recommending eight-week bans for three players involved in last week's Ulster SFC clash between Derry and Monaghan, BBC Sport understands.

Derry's Fergal Doherty and Brian Mullan and Monaghan's Thomas Freeman are all expected to get eight-week suspensions.

Freeman has been punished after a clash with Kevin McGuckin at Celtic Park.

Fergal Doherty was sent off but also clashed with Dick Clerkin while Mullan appeared to knee Monaghan's Conor McManus in the groin area.

Both counties are also expected to be fined 10,000 by the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee.

GAA disciplinary bosses have been viewing video evidence from the game.

Doherty received his marching orders after shouldering Monaghan's Gary McQuaid in the chest in an effort to get the ball, following the awarding of a free to Derry.

The Derry captain was also caught on camera, aiming a kick at Dick Clerkin and the respective midfielders were in each other's faces for the entire game.

Croke Park refused to comment on the incidents last week with GAA president Christy Cooney saying that it would be inappropriate to say anything which "could interfere with due process".

Despite the chorus of criticism directed at the teams after the game, Derry manager Damien Cassidy made no apologies for his team's approach.

However, Cassidy is now facing the likelihood of being short-handed for the Ulster semi-final against Tyrone on 21 June.

Cassidy already has several injury problems with Enda Muldoon (broken foot), Niall McCusker (groin operation), Sean Marty Lockhart (ankle) all currently out of action.