GAA digest

Wexford to appeal decision on CorkWEXFORD are to appeal against the decision not to deduct Cork points as a result of the county's failure to fulfil two National Hurling League games.

The Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC), in the fallout from the Cork players' strike, decided to award points to both Waterford and Kilkenny after Cork failed to fulfil those two fixtures.

Wexford County Board chairman Ger Doyle told delegates at the monthly meeting the board would launch an appeal to Croke Park.

"It's unfair on the counties who have to play Cork. Cork should have been deducted four points, starting the league with minus-four points," said Doyle.

Donaghy apologises for 'gesturing' to Mayo fans

KERRY ALL STAR full forward Kieran Donaghy apologised yesterday for an incident during Kerry's defeat to Mayo at Castlebar last Sunday. Donaghy was caught on camera gesturing to a section of the home supporters as a tight game reached a pulsating climax.

"During the latter stages of Sunday's NFL game in Castlebar, and in the heat of the moment, I used an inappropriate gesture towards the crowd. I apologise unreservedly to spectators and all sports fans alike for any offence that I may have caused by this action," said a contrite Donaghy.

A number of Kerry players complained after the game that coins had been thrown at their goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy in the opening half and in the second half Donaghy said he too was hit by a coin thrown by fans.

Donaghy added that after his late effort for an equalising point drifted just wide he saw a piece of wood sail inches past him and land on the ground. "I turned in disbelief and saw a number of people pointing to a fan who was in an over-excited state and I took it he had hurled the missile in my direction. As I said, in the heat of the moment I made a gesture with my finger towards him and the final whistle went."

Kelly switches to O'Loughlin Gaels

TIPPERARY'S PAUL Kelly has confirmed a switch from his native Mullinahone to the Kilkenny city outfit O'Loughlin Gaels.

Kelly, who won an All-Ireland medal with Tipp in 2001, has signed the necessary documentation, which is at present being processed by the clubs.

Kelly's transfer is for club purposes only and does not entitle him to play intercounty hurling for Kilkenny.

Kelly (28) won a Tipperary SHC medal with Mullinahone in 2002 but has decided to throw in his lot with O'Loughlin Gaels as he is now happily living in Kilkenny city.

The capture of the versatile Kelly is a major coup for O'Loughlin Gaels, who won Kilkenny senior hurling titles in 2001 and 2003.

Weekend fixtures (all games 2.30pm unless stated)

Today

Ulster Under-21 FC - Down v Antrim, Páirc Esler, Newry, 8pm; Tyrone v Cavan, Omagh, 8pm

Saturday

National Football League - Division Three: Fermanagh v Limerick, Lisnaskea, J McKee (Armagh).

National Hurling League - Division Two B: Down v London, Newry, 2pm, G Duffy (London).

Ulster Under-21 FC - Derry v Fermanagh, Celtic Park, 3.30pm; Donegal v Armagh, Ballybofey, 3.30pm.

Leinster Under-21 FC - Kildare v Dublin, Newbridge, 3pm, P Knell (Louth).

Munster Under-21 FC - Kerry v Cork, Tralee; Tipperary v Waterford, Ardfinnan.

Connacht Under-21 FC - Sligo v Galway, Markievicz Park; Mayo v Leitrim, Castlebar.

All-Ireland Colleges A Football Semi-finals - St Jarlath's, Tuam v St Brendan's, Killarney, in Kilmallock;

Athlone CC v St Pat's, Dungannon, in Clontibret.

All-Ireland Vocational A Football Semi-finals - Belmullet v St Brogan's, Bandon, venue TBA; Ashbourne CS v St Malachy's HS, 3.30pm, Drogheda.

Sunday

National Football League - Division Two: Dublin v Monaghan, Parnell Park, S Doyle (Monaghan).

National Hurling League - Division One A: Kilkenny v Antrim, Nowlan Park, D Richardson (Limerick); Waterford v Dublin, Walsh Park, S McMahon (Clare); Cork v Wexford, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, G Hoey (Clare).

Division One B: Tipperary v Laois, Cashel, J Sexton (Cork); Limerick v Galway, Gaelic Grounds, B Kelly (Westmeath); Offaly v Clare, Tullamore, J Ryan (Tipperary).

Division Two A: Kerry v Mayo, Tralee, D Copps (Cork): Wicklow v Roscommon, Aughrim, F Devereux (Kildare); Westmeath v Kildare, Cusack Park, M Mulholland (Derry).

Division Two B: Armagh v Meath, Keady, J McGrath (Westmeath); Carlow v Derry, Dr Cullen Park, Declan O'Driscoll (Limerick).

Division Three: Sligo v Donegal, Markievicz Park, J Devlin (Tyrone); Longford v Louth, Pearse Park, C Groome (Offaly).

Division Four: Cavan v Monaghan, Breffni Park, O Elliot (Antrim), Leitrim v Down, Ballinamore, A Kelly (Galway).

All-Ireland Colleges A Hurling Quarter-final - Kilkenny CBS v Thurles CBS, Graigue-Ballycallan.

Camogie - NL Division One: Limerick v Galway, LIT, noon; Dublin v Cork, Glenalbyn, Kilmacud Crokes, 2pm.