AFTER A fairly tumultuous year for Kerry football on and off the field, it was inevitable that next Monday's annual convention would hear county secretary Eamonn O'Sullivan veer from the usual script of team preparations and county finance. And in his report, released yesterday, O'Sullivan doesn't conceal his sympathy for both Paul Gavin and Aidan O'Mahony as they made headlines for controversial reasons this year.

"One incident completely overshadowed the summer of '08 from a Kerry viewpoint," says O'Sullivan. "It would be easy to now let it all behind but Paul Galvin, his family and the Kerry County Board at least deserve a few 'official' words. I emphasise 'official' because during the summer everyone seemed to be a spokesman for Paul or for the board - when a small bit of restraint may have been more appropriate.

"What happened on June 15th in Killarney should not have happened - that was never the issue. It was felt from the outset that the 24-week suspension was unfair and Kerry County Board pursued the appeal process as laid out in the Official Guide - no more, no less. While the time delay in the case was unduly long, it was processed as quickly as possible with co-operation and availability of all involved, including Paul Galvin.

"The DRA decision and subsequent 'Hearing' meeting reduced Paul's suspension to 12 weeks - a more appropriate decision in accordance with the rules and infraction committed. The DRA decision raised some very interesting points and a careful read of same will confirm that procedures and decisions in relation to Paul Galvin - based on the referee's report - were less than fair to the player."

On the O'Mahony affair, which saw the Kerry footballer become the first GAA player to fall foul of the anti-doping code, O'Sullivan is equally sympathetic: "The operation of the anti-doping code as it applies to GAA intercounty players is fair, but places extreme demands on amateur players," he says. "The recent case of Aidan O'Mahony is well documented. Most of the media coverage was balanced but some print media completely ignored 'innocent until proven guilty'.

"The after-match testing is very difficult, and sometimes players are still in Croke Park or other venues long after their team-mates have departed . . . It is often forgotten that all of these players have to attend work on Monday morning. I am not sure if there is a better time for testing, but it is something that should be looked at."

The Kerry board has welcomed the news that the hearing into Aidan O'Mahony's positive drugs test has been scheduled for next Wednesday, December 17th. O'Mahony, who failed a drugs test after this year's All-Ireland final after been found to have an increased level of salbutamol in his system, will travel to Dublin for the hearing, and Kerry chairman Jerome Conway is pleased that the life-long asthma sufferer has been given the opportunity to clear his name before Christmas.

Kerry's financial report for 2008 shows a surplus of €762,466, an increase of €677,949 on the previous year. The increase is largely due to the five-year ticket scheme receipts of €774,457 and the Cairde Chiarrái­ scheme income of €108,000.

The Cork convention, to be staged tomorrow, will hear county secretary Frank Murphy make only the minimal reference to their ongoing crisis in hurling: "The appointments of the senior team managers in hurling and football are in full accordance with the arbitrator's report and otherwise with normal procedures," says. "It is therefore most disappointing that we are again faced with a controversial dispute concerning the reappointment of senior hurling manager Gerald McCarthy - a man who has given monumental service to Cork hurling."

Murphy also points out that McCarthy and the board's officers are available to help resolve this impasse "in a reasonable manner - and it is to be hoped goodwill all round will see this being achieved soon."

Cork delegates will hear that the cost of preparing all county teams for 2008 came to €1,121,405, although this was actually a notable reduction on the €1,423,666 spent in 2007.

The board's end-of-year accounts again underline Cork good financial health with total assets, including stadiums, of €18.7 million.

The Tipperary County Board have clarified the motion going before Sunday's convention regarding the appointment of county captains. The 2008 champions (Toomevara) will retain the right to select the captain for 2009 regardless of whether this motion passes or not. The motion if passed would come into effect for the 2010 season, ie the 2009 county champions would not be able to nominate a captain.

2008 CHRISTY RING CUP DRAW: Down v Derry; Kerry v Mayo; Westmeath v Kildare; and Wicklow v Carlow.

2008 NICKY RACKARD CUP DRAW: Roscommon v Fingal; Armagh v London; Sligo v Meath; Louth v Monaghan.

2008 LORY MEAGHER CUP DRAW: Warwickshire v Longford; Fermanagh v Leitrim; Tyrone v Non Ards; Donegal v Cavan.