Geraghty faces the music

Meath's Graham Geraghty is expected to make a personal appearance before the GAA's Games Administration Committee in Croke Park this evening to face disciplinary matters relating to last Sunday week's drawn National Football League final with Derry.

The Meath captain was sent off for a high challenge on Derry defender Kieran McKeever seven minutes from time, and that followed an earlier yellow card for an off-the-ball incident with full back Sean Martin Lockhart. In addition, Geraghty must also answer allegations of comments made towards the linesman, Paddy Russell, immediately after that incident.

Crucial to Geraghty's case is the content of the referee's report. If he is cited for striking he can expect a minimum two-month suspension. And there may be a further suspension for his comments towards the linesman. Either way, Geraghty is sure to miss this Saturday's replay in Clones and may be out of championship action until the Leinster final of July 30th, if Meath progress.

Also due before the GAC this evening is Derry goalkeeper Eoin McCloskey. His disciplinary matter also arises from the drawn league final where McCloskey is reported for making remarks to Galway referee Michael Curley.

That offence, under rule 137(B), carries a minimum two-month suspension if the player is found guilty of "abusive or threatening language or conduct" towards the referee, umpire or linesman. Such a suspension would rule McCloskey out of championship football for the rest of the summer unless Derry reach the Ulster final on July 16th. But McCloskey is also carrying a thigh injury and may not even regain his place after it was filled by Michael Conlon in Sunday's championship win over Cavan.

Elsewhere, confusion still remains concerning the suspension facing Offaly midfielder Ciaran McManus. He was sent off last Saturday evening while playing with his club Tubber against Shannonbridge in the county football championship but last night the county board was still awaiting the report of referee Eddie Dunne.

The contents of that report will be crucial to McManus' chances of lining out with Offaly for their Leinster championship opener against Meath on June 4th. McManus had been booked earlier in the game but it's unclear whether the referee showed a second yellow card before flashing the red. If it wasn't a straight red then McManus can only expect a two-week ban. Otherwise, the month ban will rule him out of the Meath match.

Offaly's strength for that game has already received a setback in that defender John Kenny is certain to miss the championship. The Daingean man has failed to recover from a back injury which kept him out of the latter stages of the league and that adds further worry for manager Padraig Nolan.

The performance in the Division Two final against Louth certainly left a lot to be desired and if McManus is also ruled out, Offaly's chances will be even slimmer.