GAA: Slaughtneil and Banagher set to miss key players ahead of Sunday's senior hurling final

Banagher's plans for Sunday's Derry SHC Final with Slaughtneil have been dealt a blow following a failed appeal regarding Oisin McCloskey's two match ban, the County Derry Post has been informed.

McCloskey and Jack Phelan were both sent off on straight red cards in Banagher's semi-final win over Lavey.

Phelan had his red card rescinded by the Derry hearings committee, but McCloskey's suspension was upheld.

Banagher took the case to the Ulster Council, but Club Chairman Justin Quirke confirmed their appeal was unsuccessful on Thursday night.

Speaking earlier in the week, manager Gary Biggs wasn't hopeful that he would have McCloskey available.

The Emmets are unlikely to be at full strength.

Attacking duo Brendan Rogers and Gerald Bradley missed their semi-final win over Kevin Lynchs.

Should either player feature in Sunday's decider, it would be a 'gamble', according to Slaughtneil manager Michael McShane.

Bradley sustained a calf injury in the warm-up to Slaughtneil's football win over Magherafelt.  There has been an 'improvement' and he took part in 'light training' on Tuesday night.

"Then it was sore on Wednesday so we will leave it to the last minute, but we are planning without him," McShane revealed.

Rogers' picked up an injury in Slaughtneil's league win over Kevin Lynch's in mid-August and hasn't played since.

"It is plantar fasciitis and is very slow to respond," McShane added.  "It is a tear in the sole of the foot and we need to be very careful.

"If he comes back too quickly, he could be out for longer.  If either were to play it would be a big gamble."

The Emmets are bidding to equal Kevin Lynchs' six-in-a-row of championships from the 1970s.

Fixtures Sunday in Owenbeg

12.00 - Junior - Na Magha v Coleraine 1.45 - Intermediate - Ballinascreen v Swatragh 3.30 - Senior - Slaughtneil v Banagher