DERRY seem certain not to lodge a protest against the controversial Cavan point in Sunday’s Ulster final which TV replays later showed to be a wide.
County team spokesman Frank Kearney admitted yesterday that he had received a number of telephone calls from irate Derry fans urging him to “do something about it”.
However, Kearney said it was for the Derry county board to decide whether the matter would be taken further with the Ulster Council.
Late last night there were no indications from the board that any such move was in the offing.
Kearney claimed that linesman Mick McGrath had, at the time, expressed amazement at the decision to signal the point.
Derry selector Anthony McGurk, who was undertaking water duties on the Hill side of St Tiernach’s Park in close proximity to the linesman, told Brian Mullins after the match about McGrath’s alleged surprise.
County PRO Gerry Donnelly admitted the initial bitter disappointment of defeat has been increased by the realisation that Raymond Cunningham’s first half score should have been signalled a wide.
“The players were talking about Cunningham’s point afterwards and David O’Neill who is a very quiet fellow, was absolutely insistent that it was three feet outside the right hand post,” said Donnelly.
The Derry official said the point appeared to be awarded by the umpire who was on the other side of the Cavan goals.
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PAOLO Di Canio’s agent last night revealed the Celtic forward was in Florence where he is poised to undergo medical tests before deciding his next move.
Moreno Roggi, who represents the unsettled Italian, explained Di Canio was concerned he might be suffering from stress.
The player has put his immediate career in doubt by returning home instead of resolving his Celtic future.
He was due to talk to the club’s management on Sunday with head coach Wim Jansen anxious to persuade him to stay.
But now Di Canio has left himself in limbo by departing Glasgow at the weekend, seemingly for good, with three years remaining on his present contract.
Roggi said: “He is in Florence and going to be undergoing some medical examinations.
“There is nothing physically wrong with him, but he is complaining of stress and would like a medical verdict on this.”
Celtic, who play Inter CableTel in Cardiff on Wednesday in the UEFA Cup preliminary round, must now review their options.
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DOWN hurlers won’t be too unhappy to learn that Tipperary will be without Declan Ryan for Saturday’s Guinness All-Ireland Hurling quarter-final.
The in-form centre halfforward was sent off playing for his club ClonoultyRossmore in the Tipperary Championship on Sunday evening.
Ryan will be suspended for a minimum of two weeks and definitely misses Saturday’s Clones clash.
The Tipperary county board’s decision to hold club championship games less than a week before the All-Ireland quarter-final perhaps indicates they are not taking the Down challenge too seriously.
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CRUSADERS have been dealt a bitter blow while preparing for tomorrow’s Champions Cup preliminary round clash with Dinamo Tbilisi at Seaview.
Captain Sid Burrows is out of contention and will miss the return leg in Georgia on July 30. Burrows was handed the disappointing medical verdict following treatment in hospital yesterday.
As a result of a knock on his right knee during Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Burnley, Burrows finds himself with damaged ligaments, on crutches, and deprived of a third European venture with the club.
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MICHELLE Smith will swim in the Irish Open Championships at the Grove centre of swimming excellence in Belfast.
Days of rumours were ended yesterday when Celia Mallane, secretary of the Irish Amateur Swimming Association, officially confirmed the entry of Ireland’s Atlanta triple gold Olympian in the 200 metres butterfly on Friday.
Michelle’s last 200 fly race at the Grove in 1995 produced a new Irish Senior record in the fantastic time of 2:07.61, less than half a second off the European record she was aiming at.
A renewed assault is expected on Friday. Today’s first day gala session is relatively short, starting at 4 pm involving the longer swims.
