News round-up: Clare county board spokesman Des Crowe dismissed fears that the six-month ban imposed on John Kennedy would threaten his management role with the Clare footballers.
The Kerry county board imposed the suspension after Kennedy was involved in an altercation following an under-14 game between his local side, Shannon Rangers, and Mid Kerry. He withdrew his appeal, which was to be heard at last Wednesday's Munster council meeting.
"We hope the Kerry county board will resolve the situation on Monday," said Crowe. "There is no question marks on his position in Clare. Even if the ban is upheld, there will be no problem as it will be over in time for the National League campaign."
Disgraced Kerry club Ballyduff Rovers also withdrew their appeal to the Munster council against the fines and suspensions handed down by the Kerry county board in response to the assault on referee Gearóid O'Regan after the Kerry senior hurling semi-final.
Meanwhile, Páidí Ó Sé will arrive in Mullingar this afternoon as the new manager of Westmeath. To ensure absolutely nobody steals their day in the sun, the county board brought forward the official unveiling from next Monday.
The Dublin county board will convene on Monday evening to begin deliberations for a new hurling manager.
After just 10 months in the job, Marty Morris resigned last week because of what he perceived to be lack of support from the county board. Earlier this week the hurling panel released a statement of support for Morris, in the hope of reversing the decision: "While the players are extremely shocked and disappointed by the resignation of Marty Morris, we fully understand his reasons for taking this action.
"The players, having spoken to Marty Morris, are still confident that his decision can be reversed and, hopefully with the support of the Dublin county board, we can continue to put Dublin hurling in the spotlight for results on the field and not the controversial circumstances we currently find ourselves in once again."
The county board have since ruled out any possibility of Morris returning to the position.
The handball world championships begin today in five venues across the country.
Over 1,100 competitors from eight countries will take part in Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Cavan and Dublin arenas.
The tournament runs until October 26th, with the men's and women's senior events taking place in the Croke Park handball centre.
