Tipperary to appeal O'Meara's suspension

The Tipperary County Board confirmed yesterday that they are set to appeal the suspension that rules Brian O'Meara out of the All-Ireland hurling final with Galway on September 9th. O'Meara learnt of his four-week suspension on Tuesday, the result of his red-card incident off the ball with Wexford's Liam Dunne in the semi-final earlier this month.

But according to county board secretary Michael O'Brien, they are to take the case to the GAA's mercy committee in the hope that the suspension can at least be reduced. "It is our last hope," he said.

It is expected the appeal will be lodged later today. The committee has been known to reduce suspensions in the past, but, as they only meet four times a year, and are not due to meet again until after the All-Ireland, Tipperary also have to convince them to call a special meeting.

It was also confirmed yesterday that Limerick's Pat O'Connor will be the referee for the final. O'Connor refereed the drawn semi-final between Wexford and Tipperary as well as the Galway and Kilkenny semi-final.

The Limerick county board has requested Croke Park to switch their upcoming All-Ireland under-21 hurling final against Wexford from Nowlan Park in Kilkenny to either Thurles or Portlaoise because of their increased capacity.

Board chairman Donal Fitzgibbon said the capacity at the Kilkenny ground was around 18,000 and that Limerick alone would fill it.

"We had upwards of 14,000 in Ennis for our semi-final win over Galway and are entitled to expect an even bigger following for the final."

Limerick are also disappointed RT╔ will not be televising the final live, as they are committed to the camogie finals on the same day.

Joe Kernan was last night appointed the new manager of the Armagh senior football team, taking over from the joint partnership of Brian Canavan and Brian McAlinden. Kernan brought Crossmaglen to two All-Ireland club titles and, as a player, helped Armagh to win three Ulster championships.

Meanwhile, the Kerry minor team includes a number of alterations for their semi-final with Dublin - the curtain-raiser in Croke Park on Sunday. Michael Slattery starts at centre back, and Ronan McAuliffe and Seβn Courtney both get starting places in the half-forward line. The players to lose out there are Padraig Sheehan, Ger O'Shea and Declan O'Sullivan. Shane O'Neill and Brian Sugrue also switch corner-back positions.

Twin brothers Padraig and Gary Brennan will be making their first championship start together for Dublin as Padraig moves from half-forward to midfield to partner Declan O'Mahoney, and Gary comes in at left half forward. Mark Taylor gets the centre forward slot. Martin Whelan and Donal Farrell are the players to lose out in the process.

Elsewhere, Monaghan referee Pat McEnaney will appear on tonight's GAA chat show End to End on UTV at 10.30.

DUBLIN (MF v Kerry) - P Copeland; D Galvin, M Fitzpatrick, G Dent; P Griffin, B Cullen, B Lyons; D O'Mahoney, P Brennan; N McAuliffe, M Taylor, G Brennan; D O'Callaghan, G Cullen, J Noonan. Subs: M Gillett, M Whelan, D McCann, N Cooper, N Clarke, C Corrigan, D Farrell, A Cromwell, F Walsh.

KERRY (MF v Dublin): B Sheenan; S O'Neill, R O'Flaithearaigh, B Sugrue; F Griffin, M Slattery, W O'Sullivan; D Walsh, P Kelly; R McAuliffe, M O'Connor, S Courtney; C Cooper, D O'Sullivan, C O'Cruadhlaoich. Subs: S Devane, D Kelliher, D O'Sullivan, G O'Shea, M Conway, D McCarthy, B O'Mahony, K Donaghy, D Bohane.