Fallon quits Dublin set-up

Experienced defender Ronan Fallon has opted to leave to the Dublin senior hurling squad.

The news comes as a major blow to Dubs manager Anthony Daly as his side prepares to face All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in a Leinster semi-final tie at Croke Park on Sunday week.

Fallon, who was nominated for an All-Star award in 2008, had grown increasingly frustrated by his failure to break into the Championship starting line-up, and notified Daly of his decision on Monday.

He was listed among the substitutes for last Sunday's Leinster quarter-final win over Laois, but despite Daly introducing five players, the St. Vincent's clubman failed to see action.

Dublin's only change to their starting formation from the side which beat Limerick in the final round of the Nationa League was the omission of Fallon in favour of Na Fianna's Tomas Brady at full-back.

Fallon had featured in challenge matches in the lead up to the Laois encounter, and had bounced back well after suffering a devastating injury in April of last year when he sustained a broken metatarsal against Kilkenny in the league.

As a result, Fallon missed Dublin's historic Leinster Championship campaign which saw them qualify for a first provincial decider since 1991.

Although he returned to fitness for the All-Ireland quarter-final against Limerick and was listed among the substitutes, Fallon was not used off the bench.