Conway back for Derry as eight-week ban is lifted
Thursday June 25 2009
DERRY footballer James Conway is free to play for his county again after having his controversial eight-week suspension lifted.
Conway had initially been banned for two months pending an investigation into an incident in a club game which left fellow county panelist James Kielt with a broken jaw.
At an appeals meeting on Tuesday night, the Derry County Board was forced to conclude that in the absence of solid evidence, either from the referee's report or from the Ballinderry club, no ban could be imposed on Conway.
The Ballinderry club was initially hit hard by their county board over the incident, with two officials given six-month suspensions for the club's failure to co-operate in supplying the name of the player responsible for the incident with Kielt.
The club was also banned from all adult league competition for six months but this has now been reduced to three, although the county champions have been banned from this year's Derry SFC as part of their sanction.
Elsewhere, Sligo manager Kevin Walsh has opted for experience for Sunday's Connacht semi-final clash with his native Galway at Markievicz Park.
changes
Seasoned campaigners Mark Breheny and former All Star Eamonn O'Hara are the only changes with Shane Stenson and Stephen Coen losing out.
Laois boss Sean Dempsey has named an unchanged side from the team that beat Louth for Saturday's Leinster SFC semi-final against Kildare in O'Connor Park.
Meanwhile, Wexford hurlers have received a massive boost with the news that talented utility player Darren Stamp is set to return to action in the All-Ireland qualifiers' clash against Limerick on July 11.
Stamp has been sidelined with a thigh muscle problem since the NHL Division 2 final loss to Offaly on May 3, but the Oulart-the Ballagh clubman made a return to training on Tuesday night, and suffered no adverse reactions.
"It's great to have Darren back, " said Wexford manager Colm Bonnar.
Following last Sunday's two-point defeat by Dublin, it's an additional boost for Bonnar that defender Keith Rossiter will be challenging for a place in the starting line-up.
"Keith has made an excellent recovery from the groin operation which he had last December," explained the Wexford boss.
Also available for the showdown with Justin McCarthy's troops is full-forward Stephen Banville, who hobbled off the pitch during the second half of the Dublin tie.
Sligo (SF v Galway) -- P Greene; C Harrison, N McGuire, R Donovan, M McNamara, N Ewing, J Davey; T Taylor, E Mullen; E O'Hara, A Costello, S Davey; D Kelly, M Breheny, A Marren.
Laois (SF v Kildare) -- M Nolan; C Ryan, M Timmons, R Stapleton; D Rooney, G Reddin, J O'Loughlin; P Clancy, K Meaney; B Quigley, B McCormack, P O'Leary; MJ Tierney, R Munnelly, D Kingston.
- donnchadh boyle
