Five players banned over fighting at Armagh v Cavan game

Young members of a band were ushered to safety as players of Armagh and Cavan fought before the match

Five players have been handed one-game suspensions for their part in the mass brawl before Sunday's Ulster SFC game between Armagh and Cavan.

Armagh trio Brendan Donaghy, Kieran Toner and Andy Mallon have been banned along with Cavan's Martin Dunne and Fergal Flanagan.

The CCCC has also fined both counties 5000 euro following the incident.

Armagh said they will appeal against the decision while it is understood Cavan do not intend making an appeal.

"The players involved are extremely disappointed with the decision of the CCCC," said the Armagh County Board on Thursday night.

"It is their intention to seek a hearing, before the hearings committee, at the earliest opportunity."

The pre-match trouble at Armagh's Athletic Grounds came after players disagreed over the positioning of the counties' flags for the traditional parade around the ground.

It took about two minutes for order to be restored and young band members had to be shepherded to safety as fists flew.

The referee Marty Duffy did not take any action against any players at the time.

Cavan forward Dunne, one of the players banned, suffered suspected multiple hand and wrist fractures in the brawl and was unable to play in the game.

Donaghy, Toner and Mallon will miss Armagh's Ulster SFC semi-final against Tyrone or Monaghan while Dunne and Flanagan are out of the All-Ireland qualifier with Westmeath.

The GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee issued the punishment on Thursday after deliberating on the violent scenes, which led to negative headlines for the association.