Full-back quits Dublin panel just days before All-Ireland qualifier

Just what Dublin didn't need.

Four days out from their biggest game of the championship so far, Dublin have been hit with a withdrawal. Ger Cunningham will have to plan for Limerick in the All-Ireland qualifiers without a key defender. It is being reported, this morning, that former All-Star nominee Michael Carton has quit the panel, after he was an unused sub in last week's ten-point win over Laois. The O'Toole's clubman has been an almost ever present in blue for the last number of seasons, and was a key part of the Dubs provincial title success two seasons ago, when he earned an All-Star nomination for his performances at half-back. Carton is understood to have been left frustrated after not seeing any game time in the Portlaoise victory last week, as he lost out on the full-back position to Cian O'Callaghan, who would normally be regarded more of a corner-back. Carton played the entire second half of the Leinster clash with Galway in Croke Park, and started at the edge of the square for the replay in Tullamore, after Peter Kelly was injured. His departure weakens Cunningham's defensive options, with Kelly understood to be still not quite at 100% fitness. The squad have been boosted with the news that Niall McMorrow has resumed training but is unlikely to feature against the Munster side. H/T: Irish Independent