GAELIC GAMES: Donegal manager Brian McIver has been forced to drop two of his best players ahead of Sunday's Allianz National Football League Division Two final against Louth.
Defenders Kevin Cassidy and Eamon McGee have both been removed from the panel for an alleged breach of discipline, and they are not expected to return for the remainder of the year.
Cassidy was an All Star wing back in 2002 and McGee, his club-mate at Gaoth Dobhair, has been one of Donegal's key players in recent weeks at centre back. They played a big role in last Sunday's semi-final win over Westmeath, with Cassidy contributing 0-2 in the two-point victory.
The county board have backed the management's decision after what is the latest in a series of disciplinary breaches by Donegal players in recent years.
The news comes after the recent decision by another defender Shane Carr to leave the panel, reportedly for the management's lack of action on discipline.
McIver has other problems going into Sunday's match at Breffni Park, Cavan, with Karl Lacey, Conal Dunne and Rory Kavanagh among his injury concerns. Lacey damaged a hamstring playing for his club Four Masters on bank holiday Monday and is battling hard to be fit for the game, while Dunne and Kavanagh missed the victory over Westmeath last week with hamstring and viral complaints, respectively.
Barry Monaghan and Ciarán Bonner, who have recovered from recent knocks, are in contention for places.
While he wasn't prepared to comment further on the issue, McIver was still looking forward to Sunday's final having gone unbeaten in Division Two. The Derry native has seen his team steadily improve since the first-round draw with Leitrim.
"I felt from Donegal's perspective the media had us certain for promotion before we even played our first game," he said. "So I felt there was tremendous pressure on us, on what is generally a young side.
"But once we got out of that first game with a point we've improved steadily since, and the Westmeath game last Sunday was another step up. The first half was a real awakener for us but once we stabilised in the second half I felt we played some good football."
Donegal are, surprisingly, the only Ulster presence in this year's league finals: "Maybe that's a sign of how competitive the league was," he added. "We just decided early on that if we managed to get promotion then anything after that would be a bonus. Particularly as we're not out in the championship until June 4th, we're very keen to get up to scratch.
"But I've no doubt most of those Ulster teams will be there or thereabout come the championship. One of the views now is that a wee break will do the Tyrones and the Armaghs no harm leading into the championship."
Meanwhile, Kerry manager Jack O'Connor announced an unchanged team for the Division One final against Galway at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.
As expected Bryan Sheehan retains his place at left wing forward ahead of Eoin Brosnan after an impressive display of free-taking in the semi-final victory over Laois, with Ronan O'Connor of the St Michael's/Foilmore club also staying on at left corner forward.
Elsewhere, Leinster club football champions Kilmacud Crokes are set to play Mark Vaughan against Thomas Davis when they open the defence of their Dublin championship title this Sunday.
Vaughan was sent off in the All-Ireland semi-final against Salthill-Knocknacarra in February and therefore set for a one-match suspension, but Kilmacud are awaiting clarification on what competition that suspension refers to and intend to play Vaughan until that clarification is received.
KERRY (SF v Galway): D Murphy; A O'Mahony, M Ó Se, T O'Sullivan; T Ó Se, S Moynihan, M Lyons; D Ó Se, K Donaghy; P Galvin, E Fitzmaurice, B Sheehan; C Cooper, D O'Sullivan; R O'Connor.
TYRONE (Under-21 F v Mayo): J Curran, P J Quinn, S McNulty, D Burke, B Boggs, J McMahon, J Gilmore, M Murphy, S O'Hagan, R Mulgrew, M McCreesh, F Magill, C Tierney, C Cavanagh, R McCrory.
