Tyrone manager Mickey Harte must plan without Sean O'Neill for the duration of the Allianz Football League after the half-back was suspended for three months by the GAA's Higher Education body.
O'Neill was punished as a result of his alleged involvement in an incident which took place after the final whistle was blown in the Sigerson Cup match between St Mary's, Belfast and NUIG last week.
NUIG won the match by 0-6 to 0-5 but St Mary's players argued that the referee had blown up 30 seconds early resulting in some unruly scenes.
O'Neill was one of the star players for Tyrone as they defeated Kildare in their Allianz Football League Division Two opener last Saturday and the suspension will effectively rule him out of the rest of the tournament.
The suspension is a big blow to Harte as Conor Gormley is currently on the sidelines recovering from ankle surgery.