Three Ballinderry players have received proposed 48-week suspensions for their involvement in a brawl which marred their recent Derry SFC final defeat to Slaughtneil.

Among them is Derry county footballer Aaron Devlin, whose case is believed to be a landmark one for the GAA, as he has been sanctioned for threatening comments made on Twitter after the game regarding referee Anthony Campbell. The tweet has since been deleted.

Former Derry goalkeeper Michael Conlon and current Derry footballer Gareth McKinless have also been hit with 48-week bans.

Colin Devlin and James Conway picked up one-match bans for their alleged roles in the ugly scenes which followed the controversial defeat, in which Slaughtneil snatched a win at Celtic Park thanks to a controversial late goal that Ballinderry contended did not cross the line.

Ballinderry’s pitch is also set to be closed for adult games for one year.

The club is to seek personal hearings for the five players.

It is understood a number of supporters have also been given 48-week bans.