Irish Premiership: Eight suspensions handed out after Larne-Glentoran brawl

Glentoran winger Dylan Connolly has been suspended for 12 matches as eight individuals are handed bans after the post-match brawl with Larne in the Irish Premiership.

Players and staff from both clubs have faced sanctions by the Irish FA, however Connolly has received the most severe punishment.

Larne duo Aaron Donnelly and Conor McKendry, along with Glentoran’s Fuad Sule and Christie Pattisson, have been suspended for nine matches each.

The quartet were all shown a red card by referee Jamie Robinson after the final whistle, and have been handed an additional six-game ban on top of the three matches that came with their dismissals for violent conduct.

Larne striker Paul O’Neill has been banned for six matches for his role in the melee, while Glentoran director Paul Millar and club physio Declan O’Donnell have been suspended for five and six matches respectively.

The brawl started after the final whistle of the last league game of the season at Inver Park, where the goalless draw was enough for Larne to secure second place and European qualification at the expense of the Glens.

Both clubs were also fined £1000 and a further £100 by the IFA for each suspension.

Glentoran have a maximum of two matches remaining in the European play-offs this season, while Larne’s campaign has come to a close.

That means any remaining suspensions will carry over into the new season in August.

Glentoran declined to comment on the sanctions, while Larne said the club will review the decision before deciding whether to appeal.

Away from the suspensions handed out for the ugly post-match scenes, Glentoran midfielder Joe Thomson will miss the European play-off semi-final due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Depending on the outcome of the Irish Cup final on Saturday, the Glens will host either Cliftonville, if they lose to Dungannon Swifts in the decider, or Crusaders, if the Reds win at Windsor Park, in their play-off semi-final.