Crokes get the boot in Dublin

DUBLIN senior football champions Kilmacud Crokes were last night sensationally kicked out of the 2006 county championship.

Crokes, bidding for three-in-a-row, were due to play UCD in a semi-final last Thursday night. However they did not fulfil the fixture claiming they did not receive five days notice.

Dublin County Board met last night to discuss the matter and after a lengthy meeting ruled the champions must be ejected from the competition under Rule 117 — failure to fulfil a fixture.

Kilmacud are likely to challenge the decision and ask Leinster Council to rule on the matter.

UCD meanwhile progress to meet the winners of the other semi-final between St Vincent’s and Na Fianna.

Following the lodgement of St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh’s objection into the eligibility of Na Fianna player Gary Mullins the scheduled St Vincent’s v Na Fianna clash has also been deferred and is now being discussed by the provincial council.

Armagh’s Kieran McGenney will today be unveiled as Sean Boylan’s International Rules captain for the forthcoming two-game Series against Australia.