O SΘ suspension opens the door for Hassett

Kerry defender Tomβs ╙ SΘ yesterday received confirmation of the four-week suspension that will rule him out of the All-Ireland football semi-final against Meath on Sunday week.

╙ SΘ was sent off early in the second half of the quarter-final replay against Dublin on August 11th. Referee Pat McEnaney had little hesitation in making the decision after ╙ SΘ clearly felled Colin Moran as the Dublin player made a solo run at goal.

The suspension, however, will end before the All-Ireland on September 23rd and should Kerry progress to defend their title then ╙ SΘ will be available.

In the meantime, his vacancy is likely to clear the way for the return of Mike Hassett. Hassett had been troubled by injury since the start of the championship and missed out on his regular starting place, but he is now the obvious option for manager Pβid∅ ╙ SΘ.

Tyrone's Peter Canavan, who was shown a straight red card in the quarter-final loss to Derry on August 5th, also received notification of a four-week ban yesterday. He was sent off for a strike on Derry's Johnny McBride and his suspension also applies from the date of the game.

The Games Administration Committee were also due to decide the fate Dublin manager Tom Carr at Monday night's meeting but that was deferred at Carr's request. He had already received an immediate sideline ban for his confrontation with Galway referee Mick Curley in the drawn quarter-final with Kerry, but the GAC had yet to take consideration of the referee's report which is likely to leave Carr with a longer suspension.

Meanwhile, the GPA player awards for July were announced yesterday and saw Westmeath footballer Rory O'Connell and Wexford hurler Darragh Ryan both credited for their respective championship roles.

The Westmeath midfielder won his award as a result of his display against Mayo in the All-Ireland qualifier, while the Wexford full back claimed his honour for a similarly inspirational display against Limerick in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

There was also news of an award for Westmeath football manager Luke Dempsey. He was named Philips Manager of the Month for July as a result of his unprecedented success with the county in the football championship.

John Finn is recovering following an operation on an injured spleen. The 31-year-old was taken to hospital hours after lining out at full back for his club Clane in a senior football championship quarter-final on Sunday last against Kilcock.

Former Cork senior football goalkeeper John Kerins has died at the age of 38. Kerins, a detective Garda based in Cork, had only retired from senior inter-county football three years ago, but had been ill for a number of months. He played in six All-Ireland finals - including the replay in 1988 - and won medals in 1989 and 1990. He was also an All Star winner from 1990, and the previous year he also won a league medal.