O Se is latest to pull out

There has been a further setback for Ireland International Rules manager John O'Keeffe. His fellow Kerryman Darragh Ó Sé has been ruled out of the series in Australia, which begins next month in Perth.

It has also been announced that Cork's Graham Canty will captain the side now that Séamus Moynihan has been ruled out with injury.

Canty is something of a surprise choice, but there's no faulting his ability as a player. One of the best young players in the country he was a big loss for Cork in the championship defeat by Limerick when ruled out because of exam commitments.

At international level, he has been one of the best young players coming through for Ireland and last year was named as Irish Player of the Series.

He emerged strongly during the series in Australia two years ago, playing in defence, but he has the athleticism and football to play in any of the central positions.

"Graham Canty has been outstanding at this code for the past two seasons," said O'Keeffe, "and I felt he was the right man for it".

Ó Sé is the third Kerry player to be forced to drop off the panel, following Moynihan and Tadhg Kennelly, who plays with the Sydney Swans in the AFL.

"It was the ankle injury sustained before the Munster final against Limerick last July, and it hasn't been fully right since," according to O'Keeffe. There was bone damage at the time, and it is still troubling him.

"Dr Con Murphy, the Irish team doctor, has recommended more time for the problem to properly heal and has ruled him out on medical grounds.

"Starting out in this year's campaign I thought that three of my strongest players would be from Kerry. Séamus Moynihan, Tadgh Kennelly, and Darragh Ó Sé.

"And now I'll be without all three of them. All because of injury. They are not players easily replaced. But, of course, their misfortune is a chance for someone else."

Ó Sé will be missed because O'Keeffe has been having problems in the full-back position with the decision of the immensely experienced Darren Fay to rule himself out.

Dublin's Paddy Christie is the first-choice full back, but Ó Sé, a former All Star midfielder, has provided cover in the position at international level.

O'Keeffe will be finalising his panel at a media conference in Croke Park tomorrow. Already he has named 11 players and deferred completing the panel until the weekend's All-Ireland final was over. But already he has sustained the loss of three of his original choices.

The traditional GOAL challenge takes place tomorrow evening in Omagh. Newly crowned All-Ireland champions Tyrone will take on Monaghan in the match to raise funds for the sports-based development agency. A collection will be taken at the match, which gets under way at 5 p.m..

Monaghan manager Colm Coyle says he will have a full-strength panel at his disposal.

The venue for the All-Ireland minor football final replay between Dublin and Laois will be finalised later today. Several venues are being considered for the game which will be played on Sunday week, October 12th.