A STATEMENT is expected from the Games Administration Committee this morning on the next step in the committee's inquiry into allegations that a number of players participated illegally in last month's New York football final replay.
Sources in the GAC suggested yesterday that last night's meeting was most unlikely to reach a decision. If, however, disciplinary action is taken against the Kerry players who have voluntarily turned themselves in, no statement will be issued until the four in question have been notified.
The more likely outcome is that the GAC will hold their fire and arrange a further meeting for within the next week or so, as last night's meeting was not specially convened to consider the New York final.
This would enable the matter to be discussed at this Saturday's Central Council meeting, although there is a school of thought that Central Council would to have a GAC decision to discuss.
Westmeath's Pat Casserly and Dublin's Aodan MacSuibhne were yesterday presented with the National Irish Bank refereeing awards for 1996, in football and hurling respectively.
Casserly, a native of Longford, now lives in Mullingar. He took charge of two Leinster championship matches last summer as well as the All Ireland semi final between Mayo and Kerry.
MacSuibhne, of the St Jude's club in Dublin, was in charge of some of Wexford's most significant matches of the year. Starting with the League quarter final defeat of Offaly, MacSuibhne went on to take charge of their first round match against Kilkenny as well as the Leinster final against Offaly regarded by many as the best hurling match of the year.
Meanwhile, this weekend's AllIreland B football final replay, between Fermanagh and Longford, will be subject to a pitch inspection today at Carrick on Shannon. Recent heavy rain has caused problems for the surface at Pairc Mac Dhiarmuida.
In the event of the venue failing the inspection, the likely alternative is Navan. A suggestion that the counties toss a coin to decide between the respective home venues is believed to be unacceptable, to Longford.
Longford make two changes for the replay. Colm Conefry comes, in on the wing for Brendan Donoghue while Padraig Davis returns, with Michael McNamara dropping to the bench.
The Mayo and Connacht representatives Knockmore have no injury problems for their All Ireland club football championship quarter final against the London champions, Tir Conail, in Ruislip on Sunday.
