Dubs Angry
DUBLIN officials have slammed the lack of cameras in Salthill for last Sunday’s NFL draw with Galway as they look to appeal against Alan Brogan’s red card.
Brogan is in danger of missing the NFL final against Cork on Sunday, April 24 after he was sent off just nine minutes into the Division One clash.
Referee Pat Fox sent Brogan to the line after consulting with linesman following a clash with Galway defender Johnny Duane, but Dublin believe video evidence will clear their player. The problem is they can’t find any footage that clearly shows what happened in the off-the-ball incident.
The absence of TV cameras at the game – the first time that has happened with Dublin in this league season – has baffled the Dubs as TV cameras cost Eoghan O’Gara a two month ban after the Kerry match in February.
Dublin chairman Andy Kettle said, “It’s ironic that this is the first game Dublin have played at which there weren’t cameras. Yet there were plenty of cameras on the night that Eoghan O’Gara picked up his suspension. I think it highlights the imbalance of the present system.”
Meanwhile, Dublin’s 2010 captain David Henry picked up a thigh strain in a club game last weekend, while midfielder Eamon Fennell made his long-awaited debut for St. Vincent’s after his protracted transfer from O’Toole’s.

Tyrone, Meath Draw
TYRONE legend Philip Jordan was missing as his team drew with Meath in Navan on Sunday, but manager Mickey Harte believes he will return.
“I’d like to think he will be back yeah,” Harte told TV3. “He’s taking a bit of a break at the minute but my information would suggest that he will be playing this summer.
“We need that; people like Philip Jordan who was an all-star last year, who keeps himself in fantastic shape, who’s been a very good player over a long number of years for Tyrone.”
The Tyrone team missed out on promotion from Division Two of the NFL thanks to that draw in Navan, and Harte is worried whether or not his team can contend for the All-Ireland from the second tier next season.
Harte said, “I don’t think that anybody from Division Three or Division Four, no disrespect to them, are going to win the All-Ireland.
“In fact, it is highly doubtful anyone from Division Two is going to win it. So, the team that wins the All-Ireland generally comes from the top division. If you want to look at teams that are going to do well, look at the top division.”
Meanwhile, Meath manager Seamus McEnaney promised there is more to come from star forward Graham Reilly after his four second half points.
“Graham is only back from a groin operation five weeks ago and is only half fit,” said the Meath boss. “Gerry McEntee done a super job and has him in what I would call 60 per cent shape for this game.”
McEnaney praised his team’s work-rate against Tyrone and added, “We showed great mental strength, a bit of resilience.
“That’s something that I suppose a lot of people were accusing us of lacking. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind about the character of this team.”


Cooper’s Age
KERRY captain Colm Cooper has admitted that his teammates are ageing but denies that will stand against them in this year’s All-Ireland football championship.
Speaking at the launch of eircom’s sponsorship of the All-Ireland series, Cooper claimed there is life left yet in Kerry’s old dogs.
“That’s a fair comment to say we’re an ageing team but we feel there is enough there to be challenging for an All-Ireland,” said Cooper.
“We’ve introduced a few new players so that mixes up everything. I feel we have enough to compete. If you go through the 27 players on the panel, it’s more miles on the clock than anything else and obviously that can take its toll as well.
“But I wouldn’t go writing guys off to say there isn’t a few more years left in them. There are guys like Tomas O Se who are a little bit older. He won’t like me saying that, but by and large our guys aren’t very old.
“Marc O Se and Eoin Brosnan are in their early 30s but after that myself and Kieran Donaghy are 27, Declan O’Sullivan is 26. They’ve a lot of miles on the clock but I don’t think we’ll be too far away.”

Canning’s Return
JOE Canning is expected to make his return to the Galway hurling team for Sunday’s must win clash with Waterford, probably as a replacement for the injured Ger Farragher.
Canning, Damien Hayes, Kevin Hynes and Aidan Harte are all close to a return to action according to manager John McIntyre with some of them set to return on Sunday.
After a heavy defeat to Tipperary last time out, Galway have to beat Waterford to reach their first league final in four years.
“The Tipp defeat was a massive reality check for everyone involved in this Galway team,” admitted McIntyre.
Waterford will be without John Mullane, away on his honeymoon, and midfielder Richie Foley.

Cork’s Appeal
THE Cork County Board will appeal the red card shown to Eoin Cadogan in Sunday’s win over Armagh as the Rebels booked a league final date with Dublin.
Cadogan could face a four-week ban after he was sent off following a clash with Armagh’s Stephen McDonnell.
Cork manager Conor Counihan said, “In my mind he was coming out and was fouled and drew back maybe to break free. I think somebody needs to look at the video and make a definitive decision on it.”

NFL Pairings
THE pairings are now known for the NFL finals, with Dublin to meet Cork in the Division One decider on April 24. Donegal play Laois in the Division Two final, with Westmeath against Louth in Division Three and Roscommon against Longford in Division Four concluding the final line-ups.
Galway and Monaghan have been relegated from Division Two, with Sligo and Antrim dropping down from Division Two and Limerick and Waterford relegated from Division Three.

GAA Shorts
DUBLIN’S Liam Rushe will miss this weekend’s NHL action with a shoulder injury and could be out of the Leinster Championship opener against Offaly at the end of May . . .
RICHIE Power is set to make his Kilkenny comeback in Sunday’s NHL clash with Offaly when victory will guarantee their place in the league final . . .
DERRY’S James Conway is out for the rest of 2011 with a knee injury while Enda Muldoon is a doubt for the Ulster Championship with a similar problem . . .
DERMOT Earley is unlikely to play for Kildare this year after breaking down in his recovery from a serious knee injury and subsequent surgery . . .
FORMER all-star Paul Kelly has been dropped from the Tipperary senior hurling squad by manager Declan Ryan . . .
MICHAEL Donoghue has stepped down as manager of All-Ireland club hurling champions Clarinbridge.
KEVIN Martin has left his role as manager of the Westmeath hurlers by mutual consent.