Farrell may not play in rematch

While Na Fianna were yesterday relieved to get another match against Sarsfields, despite their illegal use of substitutions, there is now some doubt over the availability of team captain Dessie Farrell.

Farrell broke a finger in the second half of last Sunday's replay of the Leinster club football semi-final in Navan, a game that was then refixed by the Leinster Council for this Sunday in Newbridge (2.0) following a compromise between the two clubs.

Team manager Mick Galvin has indicated that Farrell still intends to make himself available, but it remains to be seen if the manager will gamble on his fitness. Farrell has also been suffering from a chronic knee injury that will require a scope in the near future.

In the meantime, Farrell is willing to play through the pain but the combination of his injuries and the third successive weekend of play may force him into a break. If Na Fianna come through on Sunday, they will also have another game the following weekend as they meet Rathnew in the final.

There is still some speculation that opponents Sarsfields will attempt to get Niall Buckley back from America in time for the match. He returned to Chicago last month suffering from a hamstring injury but his presence on Sunday hasn't been completely ruled out.

The Ulster champions Ballinderry, meanwhile, face a quarter-final against London's Tir Chonail Gaels, set for Ruislip this Sunday (1.30).

The Derry champions will be wary that their county rivals Lavey were given testing games against the British champions in two meetings early last decade, and Munster champions Nemo Rangers also found them difficult opposition a year ago.

The winners there will face the Leinster champions in one semi-final next February, while Mayo champions Charlestown are set to meet Cork champions Nemo Rangers in the other.

Elsewhere, former Mayo and Fermanagh manager John Maughan has confirmed that he has been asked to take over as manager of current All-Ireland club football champions Crossmolina.

The position became vacant when Tommy Jordan stepped down after this season, but Maughan has yet to indicate when he will make a decision on the offer.

Michael Duignan, the former All-Ireland winner with Offaly, has been appointed as Meath senior hurling manager, succeeding John Davis.

Leading GAA referee Pat O'Connor is worried at what he describes as a severe shortage of men in black.

Speaking at the Limerick County Board convention, he said there was enormous pressures on referees, many of whom were asked to officiate at nine games a week.

O'Connor, who refereed the All-Ireland senior hurling final last September, said the Limerick board had written to 80 clubs asking them to nominate at least two people who would be interested in taking up refereeing, but there was only one reply.

Meanwhile, the Limerick County Board is to target six high-profile local businessmen with a view to their contributing towards the proposed £10 million revamp of the Gaelic Grounds.