Farrell nurses injury into opening game

Dublin manager Tommy Carr has drafted in a couple of new faces for the National Football League meeting with Tyrone at Omagh on Sunday. Declan Conlon of Trinity Gaels will make a league debut at right corner back, as will Ian Clarke of Ballyboden-St Enda's in the half back position.

Conlon was part of Dublin's minor team last year and also spent three years with the minor hurlers before concentrating on football this season. He fills in for Paddy Moran who is currently on a break.

Peader Andrews keeps his place in the half backs despite his shaky championship debut this summer, and Enda Sheehy moves from wing forward to join Ciaran Whelan at midfield. Brian Stynes is still in Australia following the International Rules series.

Declan Darcy and Dessie Farrell are named among the forwards even though both players are carrying injuries. Farrell was supposed to have an operation for his troubled achilles' tendon last week but that was cancelled because of the nursing strike. Senan Connell, who impressed for the victorious Na Fianna side in the county final two weeks ago, is also named in the attack but Jason Sherlock is only a substitute.

All-Ireland champions Meath have again delayed their starting line-up to meet Clare in Navan, with manager Sean Boylan still facing a selection dilemma with players unavailable through injury and holidays.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesterday that the Munster Council have handed out lengthy suspensions to a number of Clare and Tipperary hurlers involved in the postmatch brawl of the under-21 provincial hurling final in Ennis at the end of August.

Clare senior goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald is among those receiving a two month ban. He was present as coaching mentor of the Clare team when the sideline brawl broke out amongst the substitutes almost immediately after the final whistle was blown.

There will also be a two month ban for Clare substitute Mark Fitzgerald while three Tipperary panel members - Ger O'Grady, Tom Keane and Emmet Dunphy - also received similar bans, one of which is for four months. In addition, both the Clare and Tipperary county boards were fined £1,500.

It is believed, however, that Fitzgerald will appeal the ban, particularly as it will put him out of contention for the All-Star award which he was nominated for earlier this week.

According to a spokesperson for the Munster Council, the association does allow for an appeal in this regard. Yet the two month ban is the minimum penalty for conduct that discredited the association, making any decision reversal highly unlikely.