Day of reckoning for Regan

Leitrim's Colin Regan heads to Croke Park this evening to face a Games Administration Committee eager to hear an explanation for his off-the-ball punch to the face of Roscommon's Francie Grehan in the Connacht football championship semi-final last Sunday week.

Even though the incident was not seen or reported by Cork referee Niall Barrett, it was clearly caught by television cameras covering the game. At last Wednesday's GAC meeting, it was decided to summon Regan. He will be accompanied to this evening's meeting by Leitrim county board chairman Des Quinn. It is understood that they will present video evidence to show provocation.

Regan, however, made it clear in a statement released two days after the incident that "no matter what is said or done on a football field, there can be no excuses for what I did".

Regan is almost certain to be ruled out of the Connacht final meeting with Galway on July 30th.

Meanwhile, the Wexford county board has postponed an announcement on the future of hurling manager Joachim Kelly until their next meeting in a fortnight. Kelly had been appointed for a two-year term, subject to ratification by the county board after the first year, although there is an opt-out clause on both sides if desired.

Elsewhere, Cavan football manager Val Andrews has been handed another year in charge. The county board voted 47 to 37 in his favour in a secret ballot and it gives Andrews the chance to make up for the disappointing first round loss to Derry in this year's championship. The Dubliner was appointed 18 months ago in the wake of a player revolt against Liam Austin.

Donegal, however, are still in search of a replacement for football manager Declan Bonner, who stepped down after the surprise defeat at the hands of Fermanagh.

Eamonn Cregan is to continue as manager of the Limerick hurling team foe another 12 months at least. Cregan was re-appointed on a 44-19 vote at last night's county board meeting. Board chairman Donal Fitzgibbon said that the names of Cregan and former manager Tom Ryan had been submitted for consideration.

Fitzgibbon was highly critical of Ryan for comments made in a national newspaper about the GAA in Limerick. Several delegates questioned Cregan's suitability, pointing out that in five years as manager he had failed to win a championship match with Limerick.