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Kildare midfielder Dermot Earley's appeal against an eight-week ban arising out of his sending off against Meath in the Allianz League on Sunday last has been successful. The death has taken place of the former Meath footballer Kevin McConnell at the age of 84. Down booked their place in an Cadbury All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo with a narrow win over Armagh at Casement Park. The Gaelic Players' Association (GPA) are hoping that the GAA Congress will scrap the new rules that were brought into the game for the league campaign. The GAA has confirmed that the Allianz Football League Division 1 and 2 finals will be played as a double header at Croke Park on Sunday 26 April. Mayo have been handed a major injury blow with the news that influential forward Conor Mortimer will be out of action for at least six weeks. Derry set up their second successive Allianz NFL Division One final clash with Kerry with a four-point win over Donegal at Maghera. Dublin annihilated Westmeath at Parnell Park to retain their Allianz NFL Division One status and heap further misery on the already-relegated Lakesmen. Galway's plan to make this game a dress rehearsal of the Allianz NFL Division One final fell by the wayside as the Kingdom ran out seven-point winners in Tralee. Kildare's hopes of promotion to Division One were dashed as they were held to a draw by Leinster rivals Meath at Páirc Tailteann.