Donegal chairman angered by threats

DONEGAL chairman Charlie O’Donnell has received threats following the axing of two top county players from the senior football panel.

Mr O’Donnell got one “very threatening phone call” and a number of “nasty” messages after Kevin Cassidy and Eamon McGee were dropped for a breach of discipline ahead of the drawn NFL final against Louth.

The chairman told a County Board meeting that he had: “received a number of nasty calls from Gaoth Dobhair (the player’s club) and a number of nasty text messages. I don’t think anybody on the county board deserves such treatment”

He was responding to criticism from Gaoth Dobhair delegate Owenie McBride.

“Our difficulty was that the county chairman did not clarify the details of the actual breach. This left it open to rumour and innuendo which was very unfair on the two boys. He should have come out and said there was a drinks ban in place and this would have cleared up a lot of matters.”

Mr O’Donnell said there was confidentiality between management and players on disciplinary matter and he was not going to break it.

“I have every sympathy for the players and I was very careful about what I said in interviews and I never named the players. All I can say is that every player is given a fair chance and sometimes a second chance and discipline is a matter for the county manager.”

Meanwhile another top Donegal GAA officials told the same meeting that Donegal had a serious alcohol abuse problem. County vice-chairman Sean Kelly claimed that some clubs in the county were unable to field teams last bank Holiday Weekend because their players were out drinking.

Meanwhile Dublin manager Paul Caffrey’s worst fears were realised yesterday with the news that midfielder Darren Magee will be sidelined for between six to eight weeks with a wrist injury.

An orthopedic surgeon confirmed that there had been a clean break to the scaphoid bone which is between the thumb and the wrist.

“It’s unfortunate, but that’s what we were expecting,” said selector Brian Talty. “It’s the kind of injury that gets worse rather than better the longer it goes on and he’ll be getting it operated on as soon as possible.”

Magee will certainly miss the opening Leinster Championship match against Longford at Pearse Park and a possible provincial semi-final against Laois.

Better news for the Dubs is that Ciaran Whelan has recovered fully from the shoulder injury. It remains to be seen now if Shane Ryan, Declan O’Mahony or Denis Bastick are chosen to line out alongside him in Longford.

Kildare have been boosted by the news that star veterans Glen Ryan and Dermot Earley will both be available for their Leinster quarter-final tie against either Westmeath or Offaly on May 28th at Croke Park.

Ryan was a serious doubt for the game after damaging a hamstring while playing for Round Towers against Allenwood in a Division One league game last month while Earley suffered a serious injury which saw him sit out the last four rounds of Kildare’s league campaign.

“I broke the collar bone on the 5th of March so it’s been almost nine weeks,” said Earley yesterday. “I’m fine now. I’ve been back running the last four weeks. I’m back doing a small bit of contact two weeks ago.

Glenn’s shaping up fine. He’ll be ready. Glenn and Anthony Rainbow have been around the panel for a long time but they’re as fit as I’ve ever seen them and I’ve been in the panel since ‘97.”

Team captain Benny Coulter returns to the Down team for next Sunday’s opening game in the Bank of Ireland Ulster SFC against Cavan at Casement Park, Belfast.

Coulter missed the last three games in the League due to injury but was passed fit to play after undergoing a fitness test last night.

Cavan, who have to contend with a number of injury problems, will not announce their team until tonight.

* A civic reception to honour All-Ireland Senior Club Football champions, Salthill-Knocknacarra was hosted by Galway Mayor Councillor Brian Walsh at City Hall last night.

DOWN (SF v Cavan): B. McVeigh; M. Cole, B. Grant, D. McCartan; P. Murphy, J. Clarke, D. Rafferty; A. Molloy, D. Gordan; E. McCartan, A. Rodgers, D. Hughes; L. Doyle, B. Coulter, M. Walsh.