TEAM NEWS:IT'S GOING to be another interesting week for the GAA's Central Hearings Committee (CHC). While Kerry football captain Paul Galvin went before a specially convened CHC last night in his latest attempt to get his 24-week suspension reduced, the original CHC are due to meet this evening to hear the case of Down football captain Dan Gordon.
Galvin will be informed later today of the outcome of his case, which was sent back to the CHC by the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA), following what they termed to be procedural irregularities in the first hearing.
While a reduction in the ban may put an end to the long-running saga, Galvin still has the option of going back to the Central Appeals Committee (CAC), and possibly even back to the DRA.
In the meantime, Gordon is to contest the red card shown in last Saturday's qualifier win over Laois, and which as things stand, would rule him out of this Saturday's third-round qualifier against Wexford.
Gordon was cited for head-butting Padraic Clancy of Laois, for which he received the straight red card, but Down County Board officials are confident they have conclusive video "evidence that will clear their player".
However, Gordon's team-mate and Down full back Martin Cole will definitely not play against Wexford after picking up an ankle injury the last day.
Fermanagh will go into their third-round qualifier against Kildare on Sunday without Barry Owens.
He was carried off in last Sunday's Ulster final replay defeat to Armagh, and the initial indications are that the Owens has suffered medial knee damage and therefore will almost certainly play no further part in Fermanagh's championship campaign.
It's a further blow to the former All Star full back after he made a brave return to intercounty football this summer following heart surgery at the start of the year.
Owens had taken on a vital role as an impact substitute in the forward line, most notably in scoring the crucial goal in the Ulster win over Derry.
Armagh have also come out of Sunday's game with the news that defender Brian Mallon could miss the rest of their championship with an arm injury.
Mallon had a scan on his damaged forearm on Monday which confirmed he suffered a fracture, although the player himself hasn't yet completely written off his season.
Elsewhere, emerging Tyrone minor football star Kyle Coney has signed a two-year contract with Australian Rules club Sydney Swans.
The 18-year-old from Ardboe has agreed what is known as a rookie deal and will head for Australia in November, after Coney finishes with Tyrone's current campaign in the minor football championship.
Having recently retained the Ulster Championship by beating Monaghan, Tyrone are now preparing for a quarter-final showdown with Roscommon.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
TODAY
Munster Under-21 hurling final: Tipperary v Clare, Ennis, 7.30, J O'Mahony (Limerick).
FRIDAY
Christy Ring Cup SH final: Westmeath v Carlow, Croke Park, 7.30.
SATURDAY
Tommy Murphy Cup SF final: Antrim v Wicklow, Croke Park, 12.0, V Neary (Mayo).
All-Ireland SF Qualifier Round Three (extra time if necessary): Wexford v Down, Croke Park, 2.0, M Duffy (Sligo); Mayo v Tyrone, Croke Park, 4.0, C Reilly (Meath).
Christy Ring Cup SH relegation play-off: London v Roscommon, Portlaoise, 5.0.
Leinster IHC final: Kilkenny v Dublin, Kilkenny, 3.0, S Whelan (Wexford).
SUNDAY
Nicky Rackard Cup SH final: Louth v Sligo, Croke Park, 12.0, S Whelan (Wexford)
All-Ireland SF Qualifier Round Three (extra-time): Fermanagh v Kildare, Croke Park, 2.0, A Mangan (Kerry); Kerry v Monaghan, Croke Park, 4.0, M Deegan (Laois).
