Kernan hopes for DRA reprieve as McGowan returns for Garrycastle

As Garrycastle prepare for their date with destiny, opponents Crossmaglen Rangers look set to be without team captain Stephen Kernan in Saturday's All-Ireland club final at Croke Park (throw-in 3.45pm). The GAA's Central Appeals Committee (CAC) last week rejected Kernan's appeal of the red card he received in the All-Ireland semi-final against Dr Crokes. The Crossmaglen skipper originally took his case to the Central Hearings Committee (CHC), which upheld his suspension. His appeal to the CAC had the same outcome, with officials again deciding that the red card should stand. However, the centre-forward still has the final option of appealing to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA). Otherwise he will miss the All-Ireland decider through suspension. Crossmaglen were expected to make an application to the DRA last night (Tuesday), in a bid to have Kernan cleared to play in the final against Garrycastle. Team manager Tony McEntee has revealed that, if Kernan is unavailable, vastly experienced goalkeeper Paul Hearty will deputise as captain. Hearty is one of only two players - Oisin McConville being the other - to have featured in all five of Crossmaglen's previous All-Ireland successes. Meanwhile, Garrycastle have been boosted by the news that Rory McGowan is back in the frame to be involved on Saturday. McGowan was unavailable for the All-Ireland semi-final against St Brigid's as he was recovering from surgery. "Rory is back in full training, he's in contention for the next day, that's for sure. It's great to see him back," Garrycastle manager Anthony Cunningham told the Westmeath Independent. "Gary (Dolan) had a slight hamstring tear but will be back, he should be fine. Tom McHugh had to go off in the second half (against St Brigid's) with an abductor muscle injury. They'll be fine, we're hoping to have everyone fit," he added. If Kernan misses out, he'll certainly be a considerable loss to Crossmaglen, though his absence may spur the Ulster champions to even greater heights. All successful teams who manage to remain at the top look for extra sources of motivation. Over the years the British Army occupation of the Crossmaglen club grounds fuelled the south Armagh side's desire for success. Crossmaglen will also want to win this All-Ireland title in memory of the late James Hughes, their former star who was murdered in Dundalk last December. In a recent interview with the Irish Times, Oisin McConville paid a heartfelt tribute to his former team-mate. "The thing I keep saying is that if he was at any other club in the country, there'd be a statue erected of him outside the clubhouse. This was a man who had 13 county medals, he had six Ulster championships, three All-Irelands. He was just consumed by the club," said McConville. "It's a very healthy thing that his name is still mentioned. It helps in that we're not brushing it under the carpet. It happened and it affected everybody. He belonged to everybody." Speaking to the Newry Democrat about Saturday's final, McConville said: We expect them (Garrycastle) to be dangerous all over the field. We know who their dangerous players are, but Garrycastle won't be relying on two or three players on St Patrick's Day. "We will expect a tough contest on every area of the field and if we take anything for granted then Crossmaglen won't be winning anything. But if we concentrate on our own game and play to the best of our ability, then I think we should have too much to beat any team." Motivation can hardly be a problem for any team in an All-Ireland final. Garrycastle are the first team from Westmeath, either club or county, to have reached an All-Ireland final at senior level. They have already made history and are now seeking even more. There's also the Anthony Cunningham factor. Unless Saturday's final finishes in a draw, it will be the Galway man's last game in charge of Garrycastle. The Garrycastle players would dearly love to give their successful manager the ideal send-off, by bringing the Andy Merrigan Cup back to Westmeath for the first time. If Garrycastle win, nobody can question the scale of their achievement. They are facing the All-Ireland champions and a team rated as one of the greatest club sides of all time. Crossmaglen won 13 Armagh county titles in a row from 1997 to 2009, and have a total of 39 county titles. On Saturday, they are bidding for their sixth All-Ireland crown. Remarkable statistics by any yardstick.