Longford champions Fr Manning Gaels' appeal against the Leinster club defeat by Carlow's Eire Og was dismissed by Leinster Council last night.
The appeal was based on two controversial incidents: a point awarded to Leo Turley whose kick looked wide and the disallowing of what would have been an equaliser by Padraig Davis despite claims that the shot had been good.
Club chairman Frank McNamee reacted sharply after the verdict had been delivered last night in Portlaoise. "I am bitterly disappointed. We know we didn't get justice in Tullamore last Sunday and we didn't get it tonight. We were only looking for a replay. If we had got our full rights, we would have won by a point given that Leo Turley didn't score and that Padraig Davis did."
The Drumlish club had presented video evidence and also witness testimony. Jimmy Grey, former chairman of the Dublin county board and the Leinster Council, said that he believed Turley's score hadn't crossed the bar.
Among five affidavits presented were ones from former Laois officer Terry Short and Eugene McGee the journalist and former All-Ireland winning manager.
Having considered the case and Eire Og's counter-argument, Leinster Council ruled briefly that the referee's report stood.
Eire Og now proceed to next Sunday week's Leinster final against Dublin champions Kilmacud Crokes.
Meanwhile, Dublin have made four changes for the visit to Tullamore to play Offaly. Declan Darcy, who was unable to start the last day but who came on as a substitute and kicked the equaliser against Armagh, replaces Stephen Cowap and is listed at centre forward.
Both corner forwards, Ray Cosgrove and Mick O'Keeffe, are being held on the bench ahead of Kilmacud Crokes' Leinster final next week. At the back, Paul Curran comes in at left wing back for Paul Croft who was sent off in Armagh.
Laois have named football manager Tom Cribben's three selectors and all of them are from the parish of Portlaoise. Mark Kavanagh and Brian Delaney are from the Portlaoise club whereas the parish's other club, The Heath, is represented by Denis Lalor who announced his retirement as a player only weeks ago.
Derry will not name a team for the match with Clare in Ennis until tomorrow as none of the injuries besetting Eamonn Coleman's team have cleared up. Neither will Bellaghy players be available despite losing last week's Ulster club final to Crossmaglen.
Because of their lengthy provincial campaign, the county champions still have two outstanding league matches which will be played tomorrow and Sunday ahead of the November 30th deadline for the end of the competition. Should they win both, Bellaghy will add the league to their county title.
St Kevin's Castlerea have organised a football forum for next Wednesday, December 2nd, at the O'Rourke Centre. The speakers will include journalist and former All-Ireland winning manager Eugene McGee, Galway manager John O'Mahony, former Mayo footballer Kevin McStay, All-Ireland medallist and Galway football board PRO Jack Mahon and Roscommon manager Gay Sheerin.
Dublin (SF v Offaly): D Byrne; S Ryan, P Christie, K Galvin; T Lynch, I Robertson, P Curran; C Whelan, E Sheehy; J Gavin, D Darcy, B Stynes; S Connell, D Farrell, B O'Brien.
Cavan (SF v Fermanagh): D McCarthy; P Kermath, C Brady, G Sheridan; A Forde, B Morris, R Galligan; J Coffey, P McKenna; R Carolan, D McCabe, R Rogers; L Reilly, C Collins, M Graham.
