Geraghty has to wait a little longer

Any fears Graham Geraghty holds regarding a citing for striking Dublin defender David Henry twice in the face during Sunday's…

Any fears Graham Geraghty holds regarding a citing for striking Dublin defender David Henry twice in the face during Sunday's Leinster football championship quarter-final will be prolonged as tonight's meeting of the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) has been cancelled because chairman Jimmy Dunne is out of the country.

However, sources within the CCCC have not ruled out holding an impromptu meeting this week to view video evidence of foul play. TV replays highlighted Geraghty striking Henry on two separate occasions and in both cases the Meath veteran was penalised for a foul.

Further disciplinary action will be based on what interpretation, if any, is contained in the report of match referee Jim McKee.

For example, Geraghty cannot be punished for slapping Ray Cosgrove as McKee administered a yellow card for that offence. If McKee makes no reference to the incidents with Henry then the CCCC can take action, which could potentially rule Geraghty out of the replay on Sunday week (June 17th).

READ MORE

Sunday Game analyst Anthony Tohill noted that Geraghty may have become frustrated after having a goal controversially disallowed, a penalty appeal waved away and also the "dogs abuse" he received from certain sections of the Dublin crowd.

"That's normal anyway," said Geraghty after the game. "It's all part of the banter and crack of playing Dublin. The second one should have definitely been a penalty. The first one we'd have to look at again because I thought I jumped cleanly for the ball, but I suppose you just have to get on with it."

Geraghty's diplomatic approach stems from his failed attempt to gain election to Dail Éireann on the Fine Gael ticket in Meath, ensuring a stressful few weeks recently in the lead up to the general election and the GAA championship.

"I was training away, but the last few weeks the main thing has been the elections. Once that was out of the way I could concentrate on the football. I was delighted to get a chance against Dublin. Brian Farrell lost out having been sent off the last day. It was a chance for me to get back in and, hopefully, I've done enough to stay in the next day."

The draw evoked memories of some of the great Meath v Dublin affairs since the 1980s, including the epic three draws in 1991. The evidence here suggesting a notable revival of Meath football.

"I think so, yeah. We played them a few years ago (2005) and lost by a few points, but today we were confident that if we played well we'd be there or thereabouts with them. We didn't start particularly well and Dublin went five points up. We clawed ourselves back into the game and then the goal was a sucker-punch just before half-time.

"We composed ourselves at half-time in the dressingroom and came out fighting again. Then they got points straight after half-time which made it difficult for us.

"The game we played against Kildare wasn't much benefit to us, because Kildare didn't show up on the day at all. So this will bring us on a lot as well. Some of the boys will be disappointed. Lads that were taken off and they'll know they can improve. We can learn a lot from this too. We needed a tough game like that to bring us on."

Meanwhile, the throw-in time for the Ulster senior football championship clash between Down and Monaghan has been altered.

The game will go ahead in Newry next Sunday at 4pm - and not 3.30pm which was the time originally announced. The later start is to accomodate a triple bill of hurling, camogie and football.

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey

Gavin Cummiskey is The Irish Times' Soccer Correspondent