An objection led to the GAA blocking Niall and Gerry Arthur from representing Louth in the championship at the weekend.

The Clare siblings - who live in County Louth and work as Primary School teachers - represented the Wee County throughout the national hurling league but had their permits revoked ahead of Saturday's crucial Nicky Rackard Cup opener against Warwickshire.

Their appeals were ruled out on a technicality and it remains to be seen whether or not they can be cleared in time to face Longford this weekend.

"The Arthur brothers' permits to play for Louth were revoked last Thursday week and they weren't allowed to line-out," manager Philip O'Brien told The Dundalk Democrat: "They appealed it and the appeal was turned down on a technicality. The technicality was that it wasn't appealed within three days.

"There was a complaint seemingly from some county, we don't know who, about the players from outside playing for Louth. We were asked to supply information to Croke Park, and we did, and just got this information back last week to say that their permits to play for Louth have been revoked. I don't understand it. They're living in Monasterboice.

"The lads have been training and they're a big part of our team."

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