RTE adds new faces to Championship panel and possible trouble brewing for the Dubs

And we're back. It's our first Hospital Pass of the new season and there is a suspension controversy, new additions to the RTE panel and sectarian trouble in Monaghan.

Cusack and O’Hara join the RTE panel

Donal Og Cusack and Eamon O’Hara may be surplus to requirements for the Sligo footballers and Cork hurlers respectively, but will form part of the RTE panel for the coming Championship season.

RTE unveiled three-time All-Ireland winner Cusack and former All-Star O’Hara as part of the 2013 team ahead of the 20 game schedule for the station.

Cusack has already stated his disappointment on not being part of JBM’s plans on Leeside, while O’Hara has left the door open for a return to action with the Yeats County if Kevin Walsh has a change of mind.

“I'm still available if Sligo come wanting. I know they are going over to London fairly soon but depending on how that game goes, we'll wait and see how things pan out,” he said.

“Talking to Kevin Walsh down through the years, he always felt there was a role there for me. This year he decided I couldn't give the commitment he was looking for, unfortunately.”

We expect more straight talking with the two of them on the panel and could be a little more grounded in their views than a certain Joe Brolly.

Limerick question Dublin’s victory in Division 1B decider

Croke Park is looking into the legitimacy of Dublin’s win over Limerick in the Division 1B hurling decider after the possibility that the Dubs may have fielded an ineligible player, according to today's Irish Examiner.

Paul Ryan, who scored 1-8 on the day, is the player in question after a red card in the corresponding fixture during the group stages back in March.

Paul Ryan in action against the Dubs

While he served his one-game ban against Wexford, the Lar Corbett/JJ Delaney case has put this under scrutiny. The GAA’s Central Appeals Committee deemed Central Council were wrong to extend the trial basis of match bans into this year and that could have further implications for Anthony Daly’s men.

Under the category of offence, a one-match suspension equates to a four-week ban, meaning Ryan, unbeknownst to him or Dublin, had not finished serving his accurate ban by the time the Division 1B final came around.

Limerick chairman Oliver Mann has said they will be following up with Croke Park and Daly and co. will hope that nothing comes of the investigation.

Such is the nature of appeals in the Association, no one can second-guess what way this will turn out.

Monaghan players leave pitch over sectarian comment

The Monaghan County Board has begun an investigation after members of a team left the field in protest over sectarian comments one of their team-mates was allegedly subjected to.

County champions Ballybay Pearse Brothers walked off the pitch during a league game against Magheracloone and refused to finish the game after county player Drew Wyliehad been red-carded just after half-time.

According to the Irish Independent, the player had been subjected to a sectarian remark beforehand and the club confirmed the team refused to continue over the incident.

“Ballybay Pearse Brothers Committee has held a meeting on this matter and it is now with the Monaghan County Board for investigation,” club chairman Martin Gleeson said while also adding that the club has given their full backing to the player.