UCD cleared for semi-final

The objection from Kilmacud Crokes to the victory of UCD in last Saturday's county football quarter-final was last night overruled by the Games Administration Committee (GAC) of the Dublin County Board and UCD have been cleared to play in Saturday's semi-final.

Crokes had objected over the eligibility of UCD forward and former Galway player John Divilly. Their case apparently focused on registration with another club, St Mary's of Leixlip. It is unclear why the objection was thrown out so unanimously, although the case was described by one county board official as "totally out of order".

It is also unclear, however, whether UCD will next play Raheny or Na Fianna in the semi-final. On Tuesday night the Dublin GAC ruled that Na Fianna had broken the substitution rule in their quarter-final win over Raheny last Saturday by using a sixth player as a blood replacement in addition to the five permitted substitutions. Under GAA rules, teams are limited to a maximum of 20 players, and the game was awarded to Raheny.

Na Fianna have stated their intention to appeal that decision to the Leinster Council. As of last night the Leinster Council had not received notification of that appeal, but a spokesman stated "they were expecting it to come".

The Leinster Council may deal with that appeal later this evening, or possibly on Friday night, but there have also been rumours of possible legal action from Na Fianna to defer the semi-final if their case is not heard.

There is also a chance Crokes will appeal the decision of the Dublin GAC. County chairman John Bailey said last night one semi-final was sure to go ahead on Saturday (St Vincent's v Lucan Sarsfields), but there is the chance the second one could be deferred until the middle of next week. The final, however, must go ahead on Sunday week, November 10th.

Kilkenny hurlers, meanwhile, dominate the Leinster Railway Cup team that was named yesterday to face Connacht in Saturday's semi-final at Nowlan Park. Eleven Kilkenny players have been picked to start the game, with a further two on the bench.

The entire half-back line and midfield consists of only Kilkenny players. DJ Carey misses out as he lines out with Young Irelands in Sunday's Leinster club match against Kilmessan of Meath.

LEINSTER SH (Railway Cup, v Connacht): J McGarry (Kilkenny); M Kavanagh (Kilkenny), N Hickey (Kilkenny), D O'Connor (Wexford); R Mulally (Kilkenny), P Barry (Kilkenny), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny); D Lyng (Kilkenny), A Comerford (Kilkenny); B McEvoy (Kilkenny), H Shefflin (Kilkenny), C Keaney (Dublin); R McCarthy (Wexford), E Brennan (Kilkenny), B Murphy (Offaly). Subs: D Fitzhenry (Wexford), R Mallon (Wexford), J Brady (Offaly), K Martin (Offaly), N Rigney (Laois), J Hoyne (Kilkenny), D Hyland (Wicklow), J Coogan (Kilkenny), M Jordan (Wexford), S Martin (Dublin), L Ryan (Dublin), C Kehoe (Wexford), B Carroll (Offaly).