Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley handed one-game ban for comments about referee

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has been handed a one-match suspension for "disparaging comments" in the aftermath of their 1-1 draw with Derry City last month.

The Hoops boss will now be in the stands for the crunch clash with Shelbourne on Sunday as they look to claw back a five-point deficit.

Bradley described referee Damien MacGraith as "the worst in the league" after a controversial penalty decision cost his team three valuable points at the Ryan McBride Brandywell.

Patrick McEleney was adjudged by Mayo official MacGraith to have been clipped inside the box by Josh Honohan.

Bradley said: "I think it's disgraceful. A really, really disgraceful decision from the referee.

"It's awful. He's so poor and tonight he has just shown it again. I’ve seen it back, he (Honohan) hasn’t touched him. He literally hasn’t touched him.

"The key is, all the Derry players are coming off and telling you there was no contact, he dived. Patrick himself is telling you there is no contact.

"In a game like that, you have to be 100% sure. There is no way you can be sure there.

"It’s no penalty. You can’t try and level it up and give something like that, in a game like this, in the last few minutes.

"He’s (MacGraith) the worst in the league and that tonight is awful."

The Irish Soccer Referee's Society condemned Bradley's post-match comments, accusing the Hoops boss of engaging in "personalised vilification".

Sunday's match will have a huge say on the destination of the league title.

Meanwhile Matty Smith has been issued with a three-game ban for the red card he received during injury-time in last Monday’s defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic.

Smith made contact with Aaron Bolger’s face in a tussle in the closing moments.

Defender Paddy Barrett will also