Dubs and Royals unwilling to help Rebels’ cause

DUBLIN and Meath are sticking to their guns ahead of today’s meeting to re-fix their Allianz Football League games against Cork.

The Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) will decide later today when the Rebel footballers and hurlers will return to action.

Kilkenny have expressed their willingness to play their NHL opener against Cork this Sunday but the footballers may be left kicking their heels again.

Dublin chairman Gerry Harrington last night insisted that the Dubs are attempting to keep non league weekends free for club commitments while Royals manager Colm Coyle is adamant his side wouldn’t agree to a re-fixture — even if threatened with expulsion.

Slammed Coyle: “They can throw us out of the league if they want to.

“Cork had two opportunities to play the game and were not able to do so, we were ready on each of those occasions and so were Dublin.

“Why should Meath and Dublin suffer because of what happened in Cork?’’

Cork hurling selector Martin Bowen last night insisted the side will abide by whatever decision is made by the CCC tonight.

“We’ll play the game if it is fixed by the CCC tonight.

“We don’t have any other choice.

“There are not too many free weekends available.”

Meanwhile, the earliest the Waterford hurlers can replay their postponed fixture with the Leesiders in the weekend of March 28/29.

County Secretary John O’Leary said next weekend was freed up for club activity in the Master Fixtures list.

“Clubs have availed of that and we cannot very well go back and ask them to change their arrangements.

“That would defeat the purpose of giving a free weekend.”

The Fitzgibbon Cup over the next two weeks is an added complication for those attempting to nail down a fixture slot.

Meanwhile Kerry legend Pat Spillane believes the three month old dispute could help gel the under-fire Cork footballers who crashed to a humiliating defeat against the Kingdom in September’s All-Ireland SFC Final.

Reasoned Spillane: “I think it going to be very easy for the new man coming in as manager

“He is going to get a very committed squad.

‘‘This is a squad who know they must deliver results or else suffer a barrage of criticism.

“An issue like this can provide great motivation or bonding for the players,” he told RTE Radio last night.

He continued: “I remember we had a dispute with the County Board back in the eighties. They promised us a holiday and low and behold — there was no holiday. We were to play a challenge game the following Sunday so we threatened not to play. The players hit the media and outlined our grievances. Low and behold two days later our holidays were back on the cards.”

But the Sunday Game presenter admitted that it was: “sad we are still talking about an internal matter that should have been sorted out ages ago.”