Joyce to miss start of football season

Long-time Galway forward Padraic Joyce is set to miss the start of the National Football League after being given a straight red card in yesterday's Connacht FBD League win over GMIT.

Joyce, who turns 31 in April, was making his first appearance of the season for Galway in the 3-9 to 0-10 victory at An Spideal, which set up a final meeting with NUI Galway.

Match referee Pat McGovern gave the former Ireland International Rules captain a straight red card for what some fans deemed a fairly innocuous 21st-minute challenge on Rory McTiernan of GMIT.

It was one of few flashpoints in a game that was largely played in a sporting manner, with McGovern dishing out five yellow cards.

Joyce was a key figure last year when Galway topped the NFL Division 1B table and reached the league semi-finals.

His presence will be missed when Liam Sammon's side began their 2008 league campaign at home to Laois on February 3.