He had done games in 31 counties (except Down) in 2006, as well as in London and Amsterdam, San Diego and Chicago, as well as Hong Kong.
Just ahead of half-time in a 2005 round three All-Ireland qualifier, Derry up against Limerick at MacHale Park, he injured himself against Seán Marty Lockhart and had to leave the game and was unable to recover for six weeks.
[1] A former inter-county referee but still doing club games in 2012, Bannon has served as a Leinster Council delegate.
[3] By 2004, he was twice Vodafone Referee of the Year, he had also did one Leinster and one Munster final, and played SFC for Legan Sarsfields.
[2] Tyrone's manager Mickey Harte criticised him after the 2009 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final.