O Se's semi-final fate is still in the melting pot

CHAMPIONSHIP 2002/News: The fate of Kerry football captain Darragh Ó Sé was still being decided late last night by the General Purposes Committee of the Kerry County Board at a meeting in Tralee. Ó Sé was sent off early in a club match in Dingle last Sunday with a straight red card and is in line to pick up an automatic four-week suspension.

With Kerry's semi-final against Cork set for next Sunday week, August 25th, the suspension would mean that the midfielder would only return to championship action if his team makes the All-Ireland final.

The incident that led to the red card was surrounded in controversy, and it was unclear if the referee's report made a reference to a striking offence, which carries the automatic suspension.

It was just eight minutes into the county championship game between Ó Sé's club An Ghaeltacht and Austin Stacks when he was dismissed by Castleisland referee Tom McCarthy. The incident was reported to have occurred off the ball but was drawn to the referee's attention by one of the umpires.

Ó Sé's three brothers were also playing for An Ghaeltacht at the time; fellow Kerry players Tomás and Marc, as well as older brother and club captain Fergal. Watching the game was their uncle and Kerry manager Páidí Ó Sé, who was clearly disappointed with the incident, especially considering Darragh's exemplary disciplinary record with the club over the last 10 years.

Ó Sé's absence in the semi-final would be sure to have major consequences on the shape and movement of the Kerry team. His consistent performances and influence on the Kerry team this summer have rarely been greater, and none more so than in the quarter-final win over All-Ireland champions Galway.

Midfield in general, however, has been a problem area for Kerry. Donal Daly's return in recent weeks has restored some stability, yet a partner for him won't be easily found. Seamus Scanlon, Eoin Brosnan and Seamus Moynihan are all in the running but Ó Sé's removal is sure to cut some heart out of the team.

By coincidence, his brother Tomás missed last summer's All-Ireland semi-final against Meath after being sent off in the quarter-final replay against Dublin.