Six-match ban for Finn Harps goalkeeping coach Eamon Curry

Finn Harps goalkeeping coach Eamon Curry has been slapped with a six-game suspension.

Curry is banned for "misconduct against a match official" after he was sent off earlier this month during Harps' 1-1 draw with UCD at Finn Park. It came after his protestations following a decision by match referee Alan Patchell, who penalised goalkeeper Tim Hiemer for handling the ball outside his penalty area.

The match official awarded a free-kick to the Students on the advice of assistant referee Richard Storey, but footage appeared to show that Hiemer was well inside the box.

“You can't even ask a question,” Harps manager Darren Murphy said afterwards of the decision. “I'm telling the truth and I am getting punished. I think that they now know how to boil the kettle, if truth be told. They just ignore you and the first response is they'll give a card.

“For what it was brought in to do, it has actually gone the other way. It is actually getting more of the dugouts involved because of the response that you get. “Any time you question a decision it's: 'Sit down or you'll get a card'. That's the response. That now is the norm to dry and defuse a situation. It's completely bonkers.

“I'm not the only manager saying this. Decisions, whether the officials want to agree with me or not, can cost managers jobs.”

Curry, a former Harps under-15 manager with a UEFA A Licence and a UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma, joined the Ballybofey club in the close season. Harps take on Longford Town on Friday night at Bishopsgate.