Cliftonville's David McDaid gets six-game ban for head-butt
Last updated on .From the section Football
Cliftonville striker David McDaid has been suspended for six matches after being found guilty of head-butting an opponent during an Irish Cup game.
The former Derry City star was shown a straight red card for the offence which happened during Cliftonville's 6-0 win over Amateur League club Ards Rangers.
McDaid was dismissed with the Reds 4-0 up at Solitude.
He was automatically ruled out of the County Antrim Shield final and has now been handed a further six-game ban.
McDaid will be eligible for Saturday's League Cup final against Ballymena United at Windsor Park as the suspension does not start until Monday, 26 January.
However, the talented front man's extended absence will be a significant blow to Cliftonville's fading hopes of retaining the Irish Premiership title.
Last Saturday they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by relegation-threatened Warrenpoint Town which left Tommy Breslin's men with just six points out of a possible 21 from their last seven league fixtures.
They are nine points behind leaders Crusaders.
One of the matches McDaid must sit out will be the Irish Cup sixth round game at home to Ballymena on 7 February.
