GAA – O'Byrne / McKenna Cups:Eamon Fennell put his club difficulties to one side and focused on his inter-county career this evening. Despite his proposed move from O'Toole's to St Vincent's being blocked again on Monday night, Fennell was back in the Dublin midfield for the match at Pairc Tailtainn.
But the 25-year-old’s presence could not prevent Pat Gilroy’s men from slipping out of the competition as they suffered a 1-10 to 1-9 defeat in Navan.
Fennell produced an average performance in the first half but was impressive in the second period and landed the second of two points to give Dublin manager Gilroy a timely reminder of his talents.
GAA president Christy Cooney was reluctant to be drawn on the Fennell issue when questioned this evening, stating merely that it was a matter for the “Dublin county board”.
“I don’t get involved in the internal situations of a county unless they come before us at national level so I would be very slow to comment on a situation when I’m not familiar with it,” Cooney added. “That’s genuine.”
In Ulster, Donegal remain on course to retain their McKenna Cup title but were pressed all the way by Down in a 1-13 to 1-12 at Brewster Park. Donegal had been coasting but the withdrawal of Neil Gallagher halted their momentum as Down came within a whisker of forcing a replay.
The defending champions will meet Tyrone in the decider after they crushed Fermanagh 1-20 to 1-8 at Healy Park. Mickey Harte’s free-scoring side have now amassed a total of 7-74 in just four McKenna Cup matches.
