Carlow's senior footballers have withdrawn from Sunday's National League fixture against Mayo. The dramatic announcement was made after an hour-long players' meeting in the dressing-rooms at Dr Cullen Park after which the panel left without training. According to team spokesperson Joe Murphy, the decision was unanimous and reached after all 25 members of the panel had had their say.
The Carlow county executive met later last night and expressed disappointment and surprise at the players' action. The board was surprised that the players decided to act before their meeting attempted to resolve the situation, while the board was also keen to point out that team manager Bobby Miller, whose departure precipitated the players' actions, resigned and was not removed by the board.
The decision by the players was not unexpected in the wake of the disbanding of the Carlow Supporters' Club and the consequent resignation in protest of Miller, who had earlier yesterday issued a statement to the players, saying that he had gone and that it was up to them to inform themselves of the situation and act accordingly.
The players' statement read as follows: "It is the unfortunate decision of the Carlow senior football panel that due to the lack of urgency on behalf of the Carlow county board and absence of any goodwill whatsoever to resolve current differences in Carlow GAA, we are left with no option but to opt out out of preparation for and indeed the National Football League game against Mayo on November 3rd.
"Due to unique circumstances and the position the panel have been left in, we would appeal to GAA headquarters in Croke Park for a postponement of said fixture until this unsatisfactory situation can be resolved.
"We would also like to voice our disapproval of the manner in which the Carlow county board have handled this whole matter and we would call for common sense to prevail and for all parties involved to sort out their differences as soon as possible."
It is not yet known what response is likely from the county board, but the county will either have to seek a postponement, concede the fixture or send a much under-strength side to Mayo - assuming players can be found.
Dublin have made two changes to the side which recorded the county's first win of the NFL season in Wexford. For Sunday's visit by Cavan, Dave Madden has been replaced by Enda Sheehy, while the right corner forward position, filled by Ciaran O'Hare the last day, is left vacant.
O'Hare's absence was expected as Erin's Isle had been given permission to withdraw their players in advance of the Leinster club final. Despite this, the club's Dublin captain Keith Barr is named again at full back.
Tyrone could be without two key players for their Section C top-of-the-table clash with unbeaten Offaly at Dungannon on Sunday. Defender Paul Devlin and midfielder Jody Gormley both picked up injuries in club games at the weekend and are rated as doubtful.
Offaly's Finbar Cullen, who was expected to be out of football until the new year, is a surprise inclusion on the Offaly team. He resumes in his customary centre back position, with John Kenny reverting to right-wing back and Phil O'Reilly crossing to the left where he replaces David Foley.
The side shows one other change in personnel, with Colm Quinn being recalled to the right wing from where Shane Manley moves to full forward in place of the injured Roy Malone.
Donegal have made two enforced changes for the visit of Meath. Shane Bradley and Martin Coll were sent off against Armagh and their places go to All-Ireland veteran Brian Murray and debutant Shane Carr, respectively.
