Laois' Cooke to play in final if appeal is successful

Brendan O'Brien

The St Mary's Saggart clubman is hoping to have an appeal against his four-week suspension heard by the Central Disciplinary Committee this week.

Cooke was sent off on a straight red card along with Kildare's James Lonergan during last month's provincial semi-final within a few minutes of taking the field as a second-half substitute.

The suspension actually expires this Saturday night before the Leinster final but Cooke won't be eligible as a one-match ban has to be served if no game occurs within the month.

Laois officials are confident Cooke's appeal to the CDC will be successful as Lonergan is expected to come out in support of the Dublin-based player.