EAMONN FENNELL’S transfer saga may be causing plenty of mental anguish, but physically the Dublin midfielder is still some way off match fitness.
It seems Fennell is prepared to try one more appeal to the Dublin County Board to secure his transfer from O’Toole’s to St Vincent’s, after some four years of trying, but in the meantime he’ll play no part in Dublin’s Division One opener against Armagh on Saturday evening, and may in fact be forced to sit out the entire league.
After hip surgery in December he’s still in a period of rehab, but, coupled with the transfer dispute, Fennell is slow to predict a return date – except to say it better be before the end of the league.
“I really don’t know if I’ll be in at all before the league,” he says, “but I’d love to get one game in the league. I’m a good while away yet. I’m into the second phase of rehab, but I won’t be back on the pitch for another six weeks.
“Watching the games just makes it more frustrating, and I know it’ll be even more so when the games are in Croke Park. I’d love to get one game in the league. Hopefully I can still play my best football come the summer, but it’s always hard to play catch up, especially when the lads have done a mountain of work already.”
In the meantime, Fennell says the transfer dispute has gone on too long, and he’s “100 per cent dedicated to going to Vincent’s” and is “going to do whatever it takes to get there”.
His latest appeal to the county board could be heard in a matter of weeks, but its unclear yet if O’Toole’s will change their mind on letting the 26-year-old play for the county, and block his eligibility, as they did in 2009.
Fennell also took his case to the DRA, but they referred it back to the county board, ruling that they (the board) had not contravened any rules.
The GAA have confirmed the Dublin-Armagh game, set for the Athletic Grounds in Armagh City, will be an all-ticket event. Tickets are available from gaa.ie, official outlets and a limited number will be available on the night at the venue. The recently revamped grounds are set to be a 19,500 sell-out.
Dublin manager Pat Gilroy will name his team after training this evening, and, between a combination of injuries and unavailability, will field several changes from last summer’s championship outfit.
Along with Fennell, centre back Ger Brennan is ruled out with an ankle sprain sustained in the O’Byrne Cup shield win over Meath, while the progress of Kilmacud Crokes in the club championship means no return yet for brothers Ross or Rory O’Carroll, plus Kevin Nolan and Cian O’Sullivan.
Armagh will once again start into a league campaign without Ronan Clarke, who is still recovering from a long-term Achilles’ injury, although team captain Ciarán McKeever is likely to feature, despite missing all of their Dr McKenna Cup campaign.
Elsewhere, James Horan has named his first league side as Mayo manager for Saturday’s other division one opener, against Down, under lights at McHale Park. Alan Dillon will captain the side at left half forward with vice-captain Andy Moran on the other wing, while Cathal Hallinan makes his first start at full back.
New Limerick manager Maurice Horan has included dual stars Stephen Lucey and Mark O’Riordan for their Division Three opener against Tipperary, as both announced their intentions to play both codes with this season.
The GAA have announced the dates and venues for the AIB All-Ireland club semi-finals. The hurling semi-finals take place on Saturday, February 19th, with Clarinbridge of Galway facing De La Salle of Waterford in Thurles (3.45) and O’Loughlin Gaels of Kilkenny facing Loughgiel Shamrocks of Antrim in Parnell Park (2.0).
In football, the first semi-final is set for Saturday, February 25th, when St Brigid’s of Roscommon play Nemo Rangers of Cork at the Gaelic Grounds (2.30). The following day Kilmacud Crokes of Dublin face Crossmaglen Rangers of Armagh at Páirc Tailteann (4.15).
“Playing for Life” was also named as the GAA’s official charity for 2011. Established by RTÉ Sports presenter Tracy Piggott, Playing for Like has worked in Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi since 2005 focusing on the teaching and training of skills and trades and of self-sustainability through education.
MAYO(SF v Down): K O'Malley; T Cunniffe, C Hallinan, K Higgins; R Feeney, G Cafferkey, K McLoughlin; R McGarrity, J Gibbons; A Moran, A O'Shea, A Dillon; E Varley, A Freeman, M Ronaldson.
LIMERICK(SF v Tipperary): B Scanlon; M O'Riordan, J McCarthy, S Gallagher; J Riordan, S Lucey, P Ranahan; J Donovan, J Galvin; S Kelly, P Corrigan, S Buckley; I Ryan, S O'Carroll, G Collins.
