By Michael McMullan

MONAGHAN have been hit the blow ahead of their Ulster Championship visit of Cavan with the news of Andrew Woods’ unsuccessful appeal of his red card in their defeat to Monaghan.

Woods was sent off by referee Niall Cullen for striking but requested a hearing which took place on Thursday night.

The CHC (Centre Hearings Committee) meeting deemed the infraction to be “proven” under rule 7.2 (b), Category III which carries the following penalty.

“One match suspension in the same code and at the same level, applicable to the next game in the combination of National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if that game occurs in the following year.”

Woods now has the option to taking the CHC decision to the CAC (Central Hearings Committee).

Should be not be available, it will be an additional loss to Monaghan who will already be without goalkeeper Rory Beggan.

Woods is one of four players – with Darren McDonnell, Jason Irwin and Ciaran McNulty – to have played in all of Monaghan’s games in 2024 with 1-4 to his name.

It will be the first Cavan v Monaghan clash since 2020 when current Breffni boss Raymond Galligan kicked a 55-metre winning free in a 2-15 to 1-17 extra win in Clones on their way to lifting the Anglo Celt Cup.

The winners of Sunday week’s encounter will take on Tyrone in the quarter-finals.