Carlow boss Turlough O'Connor, coach Stephen Poacher and star midfielder Brendan Murphy have lost their appeals against lengthy bans.
It's a blow to the Barrowsiders ahead of their Leinster SFC quarter-final clash with Meath in Portlaoise on Saturday.
Save for a last minute reprieve from the Disputes Resolution Authority, it means selectors Tommy Wogan and Benji O'Brien will be in charge in the dug-out against the Royals.
The Central Appeals Committee last night dismissed the trio's appeals against suspensions that was slapped on them after Carlow's league loss to Down two months ago.
O'Brien was hit hardest with a 20-week suspension, with Poacher and Murphy banned for 12 weeks after an incident involving the referee in that game.
Carlow had already brought their case to the Disputes Resolution Authority - but it was reverted back to the CAC.
The county can make one more challenge to the DRA by challenging the Central Appeals Committee's decision.
However time appears to be against Carlow, who reached the provincial semi-finals last year.
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