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Evan Comerford (file pic). Donall Farmer/INPHO
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Banned Tipperary GAA goalkeeper considering League of Ireland soccer switch

Evan Comerford was suspended for three months following an altercation with referee Paddy Russell.

TIPPERARY GOALKEEPER EVAN Comerford is considering a switch to SSE Airtricity League soccer after he was banned from Gaelic Football for 12 weeks.

It’s understood that 22-year-old Comerford is considering his options on the back of enquiries from at least three top League of Ireland clubs.

Comerford is set to meet with the respective managers this week – and will not be appealing further against his lengthy ban from club and inter-county football.

The Kilsheelan-Kilcash player was suspended for three months following an altercation with referee Paddy Russell during a recent club game against JK Brackens.

That proposed ban from Tipperary’s Competitions Control Committee was upheld by the Central Hearings Committee last weekend.

Comerford, an All-Star nominee last year, did have the option of going to the Central Appeals Committee but after taking legal advice, has decided not to.

Comerford is not eligible again for club or county until mid-August and, in the meantime, he’s hotly tipped to link up with an SSE Airtricity League club for the remainder of the summer.

A highly-rated soccer goalkeeper, Comerford has previously represented the Republic of Ireland’s amateur international team, while also starring for local club Clonmel Town.

In Comerford’s absence, Moyle Rovers clubman Ciaran Kenrick is in line for a full senior championship debut for Tipperary against Cork in next Saturday’s Munster semi-final at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Kenrick has made one previous championship appearance for Tipp at senior level, against Waterford in 2015 as a blood sub.

Ahead of a team announcement later this week, manager Liam Kearns looks set to be without a number of other key players.

Ciaran McDonald and Philip Austin are both out injured, while defender Colm O’Shaughnessy might only be fit enough for a bench role.

Squad members Ian and Kevin Fahey are also unavailable because of injury, along with Willie Connors, Emmett Moloney and Joe Hennessy.

Another injury concern, Liam Casey, is expected to feature after he trained last weekend.

There could be a debut in the forward division, with Liam Boland in line for a call-up in the left corner.

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