Armagh must still do without the services of three star players after it was ruled that a one-match ban handed down after the Cavan brawl will remain.
An initial appeal to the Central Hearings Committee on Friday against the decision to suspend Kieran Toner, Andy Mallon and Brendan Donaghy had already been quashed by the Croke Park hierarchy.
And a further attempt to reverse the decision in front of the GAA’s Central Appeals Committee last night (Wednesday) has also now failed, the decision announced this afternoon (Thursday).
It is a major blow ahead of Armagh’s Ulster championship semi-final with Monaghan in Clones this Saturday night, June 28 (7pm).
Paul Grimley will also have to do without the services of forward Caolan Rafferty, who suffered a suspected broken hand in training during the week and could face up to six weeks on the sidelines.
The Granemore man had scored the decisive goal against Cavan and his absence will be sorely felt this weekend.
Manager Paul Grimley will have to prepare without four of his starting 15 in what was already a mammoth task.
The two counties last met in the 2010 Ulster Championship quarter-final with Monaghan running out convincing winners with a 12-point victory.
Picture by Conor Greenan
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