Three big matches - only two TV slots

One of the most high-profile games of the 2007 GAA championship will not be televised live on RTÉ due to a scheduling conflict caused by the Dublin v Meath replay on Sunday week (June 17th). That same day, Donegal play Tyrone in the Ulster football semi-final while Cork meet Waterford in the Munster hurling semi-final.

These matches are due to be televised live from Clones and Thurles, but the allure of broadcasting the Croke Park replay may see one of these fixtures - most likely Tyrone v Donegal - dropped to a highlights package on the Sunday Game. That match will be televised live on BBC Northern Ireland anyway.

However, another problem that arises from screening Dublin v Meath (Part II) is the similar throw-in time to the hurling at Semple Stadium - 4.10pm and 4pm.

From a logistical vantage, switching the replay to Saturday week (June 16th) seemed feasible, but that would spark significant outcry in Meath as their suspended forward Brian Farrell would be unavailable for selection. His four-week ban ends at midnight on that Saturday night.

The Croke Park surface was supposed to receive a three-week break to allow reseeding and growth, but that has been already been reduced to a fortnight. RTÉ Sport will announce a decision on their schedule this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Leinster Council chairman Liam O'Neill was unperturbed by the absence of 4,000 ticket holders from Sunday's official sell-out at Croke Park - 78,002 came through the turnstiles for the double header involving Dublin, Meath, Louth and Wicklow.

"It wasn't a case of tickets going missing or anything like that, but rather people going missing due to the weather. It happens, but it didn't take away from a great game and now we can look forward to a great replay. Another great double header (Wexford play Louth on the undercard) that is such a benefit for the game. Happy days really."

Wexford's Matty Forde remains a doubt for their June 17th date with Louth after suffering a recurrence of an ankle injury playing club football.

Wexford manager Paul Bealin admitted recently the only silver lining of Wexford's delayed championship bow was it allowed their greatest ever footballer time to recover. Defender Philip Wallace is another injury concern.

Paul Kelly is definitely out of the Tipperary hurling team to play Limerick in Sunday's Munster hurling semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Kelly, an All Star in 2002 and 2005, has failed to recover in time from a recurring quad muscle injury.

Lar Corbett is the prime candidate to take his place in the forward line. Micheál Webster also looks set to return at full forward and 1996 All Star Liam Cahill is an official member of next Sunday's panel after impressing in a trial game last week.Manager Babs Keating will announce a team tonight.

Limerick manager Richie Bennis has delayed confirming his line-up to allow defender Mark O'Riordan time to recover from a broken finger.

Richie Power has been ruled out of Kilkenny's Leinster senior hurling championship semi-final against Offaly in Portlaoise next Sunday with a hamstring problem. Power is expected to be replaced in the half-forward line by Eoin Larkin.

Wexford hurling manager John Meyler has confirmed veteran defender Declan Ruth is fit to face Dublin in Saturday's other Leinster semi-final at Nowlan Park.

Tyrone's injury jinx has struck again. Two of the county's most exciting young attackers have been ruled out of the Ulster football semi-final clash with Donegal on Sunday week.

Tommy McGuigan and Niall Gormley both picked up injuries in club games at the weekend. McGuigan broke a bone in his wrist while playing for Ardboe against Galbally. And Gormley suffered a broken jaw in Trillick's clash with Derrylaughan.