News: Dessie Farrell's worst fears were realised yesterday when a scan revealed damage to the cruciate and medial ligaments in his right knee. It brings an end to the 33-year old's involvement in Dublin's championship campaign and casts a shadow over his future as an intercounty player.
Farrell will meet with surgeon Ray Moran today to begin the long process of recuperation. He suffered the injury when challenging for the ball just six minutes after being introduced against Roscommon last Sunday.
Since returning to the panel, in the wake of defeat to Westmeath, Farrell has proved to be a valuable option for Tommy Lyons to spring from the bench in the latter stages of the qualifier games.
"We brought Dessie back in for his experience," said Lyons. "We still have plenty of quality forwards but none with Dessie's experience. It's the fourth bad injury we have suffered in the last year."
Lyons was also referring to the loss of defenders Barry Cahill and Peadar Andrews last season and Collie Moran, with a broken arm, earlier this summer.
"It's a big blow for us and for Dessie. He worked awful hard in the swimming pool on the aerobic side of things and made a huge effort to get back. It's amazing that the injury comes at such a time, a cruel blow."
Dublin must now look ahead to the challenge of Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final on August 14th without him.
Kerry's Séamus Moynihan and Declan O'Sullivan are back in line for selection for that match. Their return has been eagerly awaited by manager Jack O'Connor - they are two of Kerry's most influential players - and leaves the Munster champions at full strength.
Moynihan's ankle injury and O'Sullivan's shoulder problem forced them out of last month's drawn Munster final and the subsequent replay against Limerick. Now Moynihan should resume his role at wing back, as will O'Sullivan at centre forward.
"Well, Declan O'Sullivan has been going flat out at training," said O'Connor yesterday, "and Séamus Moynihan has been going close. So they are back in the frame for Saturday week."
The GAA have confirmed that Hill 16 will not reopen for that Dublin and Kerry clash on Saturday week. However, it is expected to be finished in time for both the All-Ireland football and hurling finals in September and there is a possibility of it being ready for the All-Ireland football semi-finals on August 22nd and 29th.
Meanwhile, Laois and Cork officials have been summoned to Croke Park this Saturday by the Gaelic Administration Committee to learn the consequences of the fight that broke out after last weekend's minor All-Ireland quarter-final.
Referee Michael Day's report is expected to lead to hefty fines and, considering the semi-final fixture against Kerry has yet to be scheduled, expulsion from the competition is a possibility.
The game, in Limerick's Gaelic Grounds, finished 1-9 apiece after normal time but Daly was forced to abandon extra time after a melee broke out between players and officials from both sides.
