Rathnew have failed in their quest to get Richard Dignam's suspension overturned ahead of their All-Ireland club football semi-final. The Wicklow and Leinster champions have learnt that their appeal against the player's 12-week ban was turned down on a minor technicality.

Dignam was handed the 12-week suspension last month for his involvement in the post-match brawl that marred their Leinster final win over Na Fianna on December 23rd. Dignam's role in the incident was judged by the Leinster Council to have brought the association into disrepute and under Rule 140 resulted in the 12-week suspension, which started on February 1st.

The suspension thus rules the wing forward out of the semi-final against Ulster champions Ballinderry on February 24th, plus the All-Ireland final on March 17th should they progress.

The club's immediate response was to appeal the decision to the GAA's Central Council, but that has been sent back to them after failing on a technicality - understood to be the failure to provide a duplicate copy of the appeal as required.

"The first news I got of this was yesterday, and obviously it's bad news," said Rathnew manager Harry Murphy. "That's probably as far as we're going to take it but it is unfortunate for the player and disappointing as well for the team."

Rathnew, however, are still awaiting official notification of the €650 fine which was handed to them and Na Fianna as a result of the incident. The club still intends to appeal that decision once official confirmation is received.

Meanwhile, the fate of defending Sigerson Cup champions UUJ will be decided at a Comhairle Ard Oideachas (CAO) hearing in Croke Park tomorrow night. The Jordanstown university has been called to Dublin to explain how they managed to misplace the Sigerson Cup before being cleared to play their first- round game against Waterford IT.

That game was called off by the CAO as they investigate the cup's disappearance. UUJ are claiming that it hasn't been seen since they won it last spring and despite repeated inquiries among players and supporters there has been no indication of its whereabouts.

UUJ will most likely face a fine and an order to replace the cup.

The weather, meanwhile, continues to interfere with the Sigerson fixtures. All the round one games scheduled for today have been postponed, although the preliminary replay between DIT and NUI Galway is due to go ahead this afternoon in Galway.