DJ Carey was conspicuous by his absence as the All-Ireland hurling finalists were hosted at the GAA's official post-match lunch in the Burlington Hotel yesterday.

The Kilkenny forward was not in a sulking mood, it must be said, for he was already committed to playing golf with Nick Faldo for a good cause in Portmarnock. Carey was part of a fourball team that also included Republic of Ireland soccer manager Mick McCarthy and businessman Philip Lynch, representing IAWS (Irish Agricultural Wholesalers).

The £5,000-a-team charity outing, to raise funds for relatives of the Omagh bombing victims, was arranged two weeks ago. The Kilkenny star was invited by Darren Clarke and was happy to accept.

DJ would have preferred it to be a happier occasion on the day after an All-Ireland but as his wife, Christine, put it. "DJ doesn't drink and what better way is there to wind down after an All-Ireland defeat than to play a game of golf to raise funds for a worthy cause."

Aer Lingus flew Faldo in especially for the outing and the day finished in time to enable DJ rejoin the Kilkenny party for the long homeward journey.

Carey was later announced to fill the left-half forward position on the Rest of Leinster team to meet the All-Ireland champions in the annual GOAL challenge match in aid of famine victims in Sudan. The match takes place next Friday evening in Birr (6.0 p.m).

Carey is one of five Kilkenny players in the rest line-up. Wexford also have five, Laois three and Dublin two. It is a particularly strong team that should test Offaly to the limit.

Tom Hickey captains the team from his usual right corner back position, while Wexford's Martin Storey leads the attack in front of a formidable midfield partnership of Adrian Fenlon (Wexford) and Derek Conroy (Laois).

Sunday's All-Ireland referee Dicky Murphy will officiate while Kevin Fennelly is manager of the selected side.