Farrell's days in blue may be over

After 12 years of senior intercounty service, it appears Dessie Farrell's days as a Dublin footballer have come to an end. Speaking yesterday in between his duties as chief executive of the Gaelic Players Association, Farrell strongly hinted that another championship season was probably one too many.

"It's unlikely," he said. "I've rested over the winter, confined myself to some gym work, and my main concern is the club activity with Na Fianna. We have the championship starting in three weeks time.

"But we'll wait and see. The last time I spoke to Tommy Lyons was briefly just before Christmas. I haven't been talking to him since, but I'm sure he is quite busy with preparations for the championship."

Farrell made his senior championship debut in 1992, and three years later was on the team which won Dublin's last All-Ireland. He played an important role in Dublin's successful season of two years ago, appearing as a substitute in the Leinster final win over Kildare, and starting in the narrow semi-final defeat to Armagh.

Although he sat out Dublin's past league campaign, which has been his norm in recent years, Farrell is holding back on any announcement of an official retirement.

"I'm feeling strong, feeling fit and feeling good and have the enthusiasm and hunger for it. It's always been my ambition to play for Dublin and that hasn't changed. But if I don't get called back in, well, so be it. I've had a marvellous innings and a wonderful career. Who knows? But I believe once you give it up you never go back to it."

Clare hurler Brian Lohan, meanwhile, continues to race against time in an effort to make the Munster championship opener against Waterford on May 16th. The recurrence of a hamstring injury has required the regular attention of Limerick injury specialist Gerard Hartmann, and Lohan's amount of hurling practice remains minimal.

"It's been a problem I've been dealing with for the last 10 years," explained the Clare full back, "but this year it seems to be worse than others. I seem to struggle moving from half fitness into full fitness. I'm back doing some light running and stretching, but I haven't done any hurling. So the lack of match practice is a real concern, maybe even a bigger concern than the injury itself."