Mayo withdraw appeal on suspensions and fine

MAYO'S county board and players have, as expected, withdrawn their appeal against the suspensions and fine imposed by the Games Administration Committee in respect of the punch-up during the All-Ireland football final replay against Meath.

Meath had already arrived at the same decision a week ago. A statement from the county board said that Mayo arrived at the decision "to draw the final curtain having "discussed the matter on Saturday last with the players

The statement re-iterates the comments of team manager John Maughan at the post-match lunch at which he congratulated Meath on their victory and looks forward to a resumption of friendly relationships between the counties.

Finally it states: "We apologise unreservedly should any actions of ours have brought the game into disrepute."

The only surprise in the Mayo response was that it took so long. Within the county it was the view of players, management and large sections of the public that the county should have dropped the matter as soon as Meath did a week ago particularly as in the public perception, Mayo came better out of the hearing than their opponents.

Meanwhile, Dublin's manager Mickey Whelan and his selectors will wait until tomorrow before naming the team to play Mayo in the NFL Division Two match in Castlebar. A lengthening injury list, plus the withdrawal of the St Sylvester's players, has forced the management into the postponement.

Added to a number of long-term casualties are a couple of injuries to players involved in the most recent match, against Armagh. two weeks ago. Pat Gilroy and Jim Gavin have been out of action for a while and midfielder Paul Bealin missed the Armagh match.

Now he is joined by partner Brian Stynes who suffered concussion while playing for Ballyboden St Enda's against Erin's Isle. Stynes has been sufficiently indisposed to miss work this week and is rated very doubtful for the Mayo match.

One light on the horizon is the return to training of Charlie Redmond who is considered likely to make Sunday's starting line-up.

Cork's selectors did their best to name a team last night but injuries to three players have left vacancies in the line-up. Two are in the full back line with both Mark Farr and Mark O'Connor doubtful for Sunday's trip to Ballinascreen to play League champions Derry. A further vacancy is left at left corner forward as Colin Corkery is also doubtful.

Apart from these deferred decisions, there is one change from the team that beat Meath a fortnight ago. Alan Dorgan, who appeared as a substitute that day, comes in at right corner forward and replaces John McCarthy.

PJ McGowan, the Donegal manager, has denied persistent rumours that he is about to switch into a position with the Ulster Council.

The rumour has been part of an elaborate scenario within which McGowan would take up administrative office in the province. former Donegal player and current Cavan manager Martin McHugh would take over the Donegal team and Eamonn Coleman, former All-Ireland winning manager with Derry now in charge of Longford, would slot into McHugh's place in Cavan where Coleman is also coach to Gowna the county champions.

"I wonder where that started because it certainly didn't start with me. It's a load of rubbish. As far as I'm concerned, I'm staying in charge of Donegal where my appointment lasts until we're knocked out of the championship. I don't see why I won't be involved until then at least," he says.

McGowan has two injury problems when he names his team for Sunday's National League fixture with Cavan. Peter McGinley, the corner back who made his debut in the draw with Tyrone a fortnight ago, will be out until after Christmas with a groin injury. Wing forward Ollie Reid has a cracked rib and will be out for a couple of weeks.

On the positive side, JJ Doherty is fit again and will probably be in the side, which will be named today.

Meanwhile, Michael Walsh, Kilkenny's All-Ireland winning goalkeeper, has decided to retire from inter-county hurling at the age of 35. Walsh, whose father Ollie died last March. was a member of the 1992 and '93 All-Ireland championship teams managed by his father.