NEWS ROUND-UP:KILMACUD CROKES officials and players have been unable to meet to decide the next course of action regarding Adrian Morrissey's suspension.
The next course of action for the Wexford footballer is to bring his case to the Disputes Resolution Authority, following the Leinster Council decision to uphold the automatic ban he received following a red card in a recent Dublin league fixture.
As it stands, Morrissey is due to miss the Leinster club final against Offaly champions Rhode this Sunday in Portlaoise, something Crokes manager Paddy Carr is not best pleased with considering his strong belief that the sending off should have been overturned by now.
“It is not just about us needing him for Sunday,” said Carr. “Adrian was genuinely sent off for nothing. Without a doubt, it was completely out of order.”
The problem for Crokes is they have been unable to gather due to the treacherous weather conditions sweeping down the east coast. “We cannot make a decision until we physically meet up.”
A similar problem exists regarding the availability of Niall Corkery and Rory O’Carroll, who must travel from London and Paris respectively for Crokes’ second provincial final appearance in three years.
O’Loughlin Gaels manager Mick Nolan believes that the Leinster senior club hurling final should be put back until the New Year if it is postponed again next weekend.
Nolan insists that players deserve better playing conditions than the “sea of muck” that awaits them on a Sunday afternoon in December.
The Kilkenny champions and Wexford opponents Oulart-the-Ballagh are anxiously waiting for the go-ahead next weekend after last Sunday’s original fixture was put back by a week.
But with more severe weather forecast for the coming days, it is probable the Dr Cullen Park clash may be deferred again, with players facing up to the prospect of lining out less than a fortnight before Christmas Day.
Nolan said: “They can’t keep postponing it indefinitely week after week. There has to be a decision one way or another, even if that’s the first week in February.”
Nolan admits he would have no problem with playing a provincial final in early February, with a potential All-Ireland semi-final just a couple of weeks later.
“That could be done, no problem at all, and would probably suit both clubs if it’s postponed again next Sunday. We’ll be hurling in a sea of muck next Sunday no matter what way it goes, after hurling the whole year and waiting for this day.”
Meath selector Liam Harnan, part of Séamus McEnaney’s new management, is set to replace Colm O’Rourke as the under-21 manager next year.
Kilkenny’s Derek Lyng has retired from inter-county hurling after 10 years’ service that yielded six senior All-Irelands and nine Leinster titles, as well as two All Stars in 2002 and 2003. The midfielder has seen his game time hindered by a recurring hip problem in recent seasons.
Galway clubs will tonight be asked to cement their presence in Leinster by moving to have their under-21 and minor sides compete in the provincial championship.
Former All-Ireland club champions Sarsfields will move a motion at the Galway hurling board convention calling for the under-21s and minors to join the senior side in Leinster.
Weekend Fixtures
Sunday
Leinster Club SFC Final– Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) v Rhode (Offaly), Portlaoise, 2pm.
Leinster Club SHC Final– O'Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny) v Oulart The Ballagh (Wexford), Dr Cullen Park, 2pm.
Munster Club SFC Final– Nemo Rangers (Cork) v Dr Crokes (Kerry), Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 2pm, D O'Mahony (Tipperary).
Ulster Club SFC Final– Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) v Naomh Conaill (Donegal), Clones, 2pm, J McQuillan (Cavan).
