Meath must plan without Murphy

Ollie Murhpy has been ruled out of the Meath team for tomorrow's Leinster football championship semi-final against Dublin in Croke Park and may miss other matches. Murphy is suffering from a groin strain and the decision not to play him was left as late as possible.

Asked would Murphy be kept in reserve on the bench county PRO Brendan Cummins said he thought it unlikely. "I really doubt Ollie will tog out," he said, "and there has to be a long-term worry given the nature of the injury. The only treatment is rest and when you rest, you can't train. Even against Westmeath he wasn't at his best." Murphy's place at corner forward goes to Ray McGee.

Tomorrow's semi-final will make history with match officials communicating by radio link.

"This is something that was on the way for a while," said National Referees Committee PRO Father Seamus Gardiner. "Pat McEnaney will be linked to John Guinan of Cork and Gerry Kinneavey of Roscommon. We picked this match because Pat is familiar with the technology from the International Rules series.

"When Tommy Lyons (Dublin manager) was told that the linesmen would be miked up to the referee he asked could he be, too."