A footballer from Tullamore has been handed a proposed 96-week suspension for angrily pushing match referee Barry Tiernan from Dublin after their Leinster Club football championship defeat to Meath's Summerhill at O'Connor Park in the Offaly town.
The player, who was not part of the official squad entered the field at the end of the game to shove an unsuspecting Tiernan in the back, to the angst of nearby officials who berated him.
It's the minimum potential ban for assaulting a match official.
A second 48-week suspension has also been proposed for another member of the Tullamore club, after the person in question allegedly tried to trip a linesman while also apparently issuing verbal abuse towards the official also.
The provincial council have also fined the Co. Offaly champions €2,500 for those and other alleged incidents.
The incident were sparked by Mr. Tiernan's reversal of a penalty call before awarding a free to the home side after consultation with a linesman. Tullamore lost by two points.
The player facing the heavy ban is understood to have attempted to apologise to the referee but a hearing may still be sought, based on various circumstances in the case.
