Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FARRELL BY DUBS
MICK GALVIN is expected to step up as Dublin’s interim manager after Dessie Farrell was slapped with a 12-week ban.
Farrell will be unable to have any involvement in GAA activity following the decision of Dublin GAA to move swiftly and suspend their senior football manager yesterday.
It came after at least nine members of his panel – including Brian Fenton, Jonny Cooper,
Brian HOWARCDAAPNTDICOONRSMTAYCLE Costello, son of county secretary, John – were pictured taking part in a training session at the
Innisfails GAA Club grounds on Wednesday morning.
It came barely 12 hours after the GAA had issued a stern warning against any collective training sessions ahead of the April 19 restart for inter-county activity, which was confirmed by the Government on Tuesday evening. Galvin, who played alongside Farrell for both Na Fianna and Dublin, is the next most experienced member of the management team and is set to oversee operations from April 19, with
Farrell not allowed to be present at training sessions or on the sideline on matchdays.
While the GAA has yet to publish its 2021 intercounty schedule, it appears as though the 49-year-old will have to sit out the League but should be back on board for most, if not all, of the Championship campaign as Dublin bid for seven-in-a-row.
And while his own county board has already slapped Farrell with a ban, the
GAA’S Management Committee will still launch its own investigation after which the Dublin boss could, in theory, find himself with a longer suspension.
It is not believed, despite the GAA saying on Tuesday that any training breaches would place it in “serious jeopardy”, that the intercounty restart will be delayed beyond April 19 by the Government as a result of the Dublin exposure.
“I don’t believe so,” said Minister for Sport Jack Chambers before Dublin moved to suspend Farrell.
“What we need to ensure now is that no other county breaches the rules – that they follow and advocate for the broad public health advice.”