Last Friday saw Armagh U20s overcome Tyrone in a tempestuous Ulster Championship clash, the Orchard county pipping their rivals 2-22 to 0-24 after extra time.
The game was marred however, after an all-out brawl transpired in extra time, resulting in two red cards for both counties.
Tyrone displaying their usual class after u20s defeat to Armagh #GAA pic.twitter.com/eYF0GkO7vV
— Paul! (@Paul_beIN) June 8, 2018
In the aftermath of the game the Ulster Council have handed down suspensions to no less than ten Armagh players following the fracas. This includes six of the players that started for Armagh in the semi-final. Armagh coach Peter McDonnell was none too happy with the number of suspensions given to his players following the infraction and speaking to the Gaelic Life, accused the Ulster Council of treating the U20s as 'Guinea pigs':
This goes right back to the U20s being used as Guinea pigs. Would this happen at senior inter county level? They would hone in on a couple of people and make an example of them. I’m not condoning the melee in any shape of form, it’s not part of our game, but all it took was one rash incident from a Tyrone player and it was a tinderbox.
McDonnell went on to say that the Ulster final will be a 'cosmetic exercise' in lieu of Armagh's depleted squad and that the game will be nothing more than a 'warm-up for Derry to move onto the next level'.
McDonnell also revealed that Armagh would seek to appeal the decision that sees their squad decimated heading into the final with Derry.
