GAA Senior Football Championship

GPA gets official nod

2009-11-21T15:07:14+00:00

The Gaelic Players’ Association has received official status with the GAA after an interim agreement at the association's Games Development Conference on Saturday.

For some time now there has been optimism and hope from the players’ association that they would get the recognition they feel they deserve and they have now been afforded just that from Croke Park.

On the news, GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell said: “Recognition for the players' association will provide a platform on which the GAA and the GPA can work together to secure a better future for our games and our players.
“This interim arrangement is the culmination of years of hard work on both sides to establish trust and understanding.

“I would like to thank the many people within the GAA and GPA who contributed to that process to date and the players who strived to have their distinctive voice heard within the GAA."

GAA President Christy Cooney was also happy with the relationship, saying: “This is an important day for the Association and one that I believe will lead to a brand new working relationship with the GPA, a body that has been in existence for the past 10 years.

“We are confident that we can forge a relationship with our inter-county players that will be for the betterment of the GAA as a whole.

'”We have always been committed to our amateur and voluntary ethos and the belief structure that has underpinned the values at the heart of our Association.

“With these proposals we have stayed true to these ideals while at the same time coming to a position that recognises the important role that our inter-county players play in the promotion and commercial well being of the Association.”

Leitrim lose sponsors

2009-11-21T14:22:36+00:00

Leitrim have lost their sponsors after 11 years with the economic crisis hitting the team.

Local company Masonite Ireland have sponsored the Connacht side for over a decade but are unable to do so next season with county secretary Declan Bohan quoted by the Irish Independent as saying: "It won't be easy in the current climate to find new sponsors, but we have some interested parties already and we were very lucky to have such a good relationship with Masonite for so long."

Leitrim are not on their own in losing out on sponsorship with fellow minnows Wicklow having lost their three-year sponsor deal with Ballymore Properties recently.

However, the Garden County quickly secured an agreement with Brennans Hotels, owned by Wexford native Barry Brennan.

In further woe for Leitrim, a number of their footballers look set to have to move abroad because of the economy crisis, relieving the team of their services.

Venue switch for Farneys

2009-11-21T14:20:04+00:00

Monaghan will play their home games in Scotstown and Inniskeen for the 2010 National Football League due to a new pitch being laid in Clones.

The Farney County begin their NFL Division One campaign against fellow promoted side Cork, the team who beat them in the 2009 Division Two final.

Meanwhile, Kildare's incoming chairman Pádraig Ashe has admitted that the proposed development of a new county ground in Newbridge is no longer an immediate priority.

Upgrading St Conleth's Park will now be the Lilywhites county board's priority.

Owens targets hurling duo

2009-11-20T15:05:37+00:00

Waterford senior football boss John Owens is confident of securing the services of hurling duo Shane Walsh and Gary Hurney for next year's All-Ireland SFC campaign.

The newly-appointed Owens revealed that both players are keen to line out for both senior sides next year and he now intends to speak to his hurling counterpart, Davy Fitzgerald, about successfully co-managing the pair.

"It's up to myself and Davy to give them clear boundaries and guidelines," he told the Examiner.

"I haven't spoken to Davy about it but these guys are good. Both are scoring players."

O'Rourke waits on skipper

2009-11-18T11:03:50+00:00

Armagh manager Paddy O'Rourke has yet to decide which of his players will wear the captain's armband in 2010 because he is waiting to discover the extent of the injury to Ciaran McKeever.

Last year's skipper sustained an ankle injury in the inter-provincial final win over Munster earlier this month and it is feared that he could be on the sidelines for up to four months.

The extent of the injury could result in O'Rourke looking elsewhere for a skipper but the manager has decided to wait until the new year before naming his captain for the 2010 season.

"That hasn't been decided yet. That's something we'll decide in the New Year," O'Rourke said. "There are a lot of players on that panel who could captain the team - we'll look at all options."

It was thought McKeever had broken his leg when he was stretchered off in the game at Ruislip before subsequent tests showed ankle ligament damage. It is a blow to O'Rourke's plans for the Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup but he is confident the defender will return better than ever.

"He’s a very committed fella. I don't think he'll be out a day longer than he needs to be," the former Down manager is quoted as saying in the Irish News.

"I know from talking to him that he's counting the days and weeks until he can get himself back onto the pitch again.

"I can't put a timescale on that, that's more fir the medics. It'll be another couple of weeks before they know whether he has to have an operation on it.

"If he doesn't, it'll be a shorter absence but if he does have to have an operation you're looking at four months."

O'Shea set for Australian trials

2009-11-17T15:57:51+00:00

Mayo ace Aidan O'Shea could be the latest GAA star to join an AFL side as he prepares to head for Melbourne for a trial with Richmond and the Western Bulldogs.

The talented young forward, who was a shining light in Mayo's 2009 season, will depart on Sunday after being spotted by controversial agent Ricky Nixon, though he has said he will commit his immediate future to the Mayo cause, with Australian Rules seen as an option for down the road.

"I'm going out there to see what the professional lifestyle is like, to get a taste for it," O'Shea, 19, told The Mayo News.

"It is an opportunity that has presented itself. I'm going to try the skills of the game and see how I am at it.

"I'm on trial with the clubs out there but I'll be examining them as well, to see if I like it out there. I'm looking at it as a possible option for down the road if things were to work out, but I have committed to Mayo for the next year and I've spoken to John O'Mahony on it.

"I really don't know how I will get on. I know it won't be easy but I'll go and see what happens. I'll be coming back in early December and returning to my studies in DIT and preparing for the FBD, even if there might be a big difference in the weather."

Kelly: Keep Croke Park open

2009-11-17T13:25:43+00:00

Former GAA president Sean Kelly says the GAA would be foolish to sever all links between Croke Park and ‘other sports’ once the revamped Aviva Stadium opens its doors.

Ireland soccer and rugby internationals have been played out at GAA Headquarters since 2006 and Kelly thinks it is a good thing for the GAA’s reputation that they were allowed to do so, while also deeming it very beneficial for the organisation to maintain its links.

"If Croke Park is to be used again for rugby and soccer or any other 'foreign games', it requires a needy tenant and a willing landlord. The landlord is the GAA and that is why it is vital that motions go before Congress this year extending the opening of Croke Park indefinitely,” Kelly wrote in the Irish Examiner.

“This would merely transfer decision making from Annual Congress to Central Council. Any application for the use of Croke Park, if the opening to other sports was made permanent, would have to go to Central Council for approval - a sensible move as Central Council represents all counties in the Association, including abroad.

"The opening of Croke Park has worked out very well for the GAA. The GAA has gained the kind of worldwide exposure - all of it positive - that money couldn't buy. It has also brought huge goodwill and is one of the few institutions people are reluctant to knock.

“Imagine if Croke Park was not opened and home internationals were played abroad. The outcome would have been disastrous for the GAA and the country.

"Then, of course, there is the rental income that the GAA has earned as a result of its generosity. Shortly now, we will see centres of excellence being built all over the county as a result of the monies gained from soccer and rugby. Whether this is the best use that could be made of the money is debatable - I would prefer to see more going to the clubs - but without the opening of Croke Park, there wouldn't be any spare cash to be handed out.

"What has the GAA to gain 'closing' Croke Park again? Nothing, I believe.

"I have no doubt, that even though Lansdowne Road has been redeveloped, that occasions will arise in the future when Croke Park will be required if available. There may be Rugby World Cup and European or World Cups played in this part of the world. Croke Park could be a major asset in not only helping to win future bids for these tournaments but could also host many glamorous games.

"And, of course, there is the major consideration that the new stadium can only hold 50,000 spectators. While there are commitments to sponsors, corporate box and premium ticket holders that these games must be played in the Aviva, couldn't a deal be struck with the GAA to honour all those deals if the games were to be played in Croke Park?

"This would allow the IRFU and FAI to play major fixtures in Croke Park with the big difference that up to 32,500 extra fans could be accommodated. Sports depend on the fans and why deny 32,500 fans the possibility of going to a game?

"Congress must decide the temporary opening of Croke Park be made permanent. Anything else is short-sighted and sends out all the wrong signals at a time when Ireland needs to pull together. Sport has often given that lead. The GAA can do so again."

Kingdom duo pass St Kilda medicals

2009-11-17T11:11:16+00:00

Kerry young guns Tommy Walsh and David Moran have passed their medicals with AFL club St Kilda.

Having garnered maiden All-Ireland medals following September's final success over Cork, the duo have swapped lining out for Jack O'Connor's Kingdom for the lure of the professional game Down Under.

Giant forward Walsh has signed a two-year contract with this year's beaten AFL Grand Finalists as an International Rookie, while Moran is about to undergo a fortnight's trial, from which he will look to secure a similar deal.

"I know it's going to tough because I've only got two weeks to make a good impression, but I'm going to give it everything I've got," Moran was quoted as saying in the Irish Sun.

Walsh added: "It was definitely the right time for me to leave the GAA after we won the All-Ireland this year.

"I knew after last year, when I trialled with St. Kilda, that I wanted to make a go of being a professional sportsman and I can do that in the AFL."

Meanwhile, the move of a third Kerryamn Down Under, or rather the return of one, has been hailed by team-mates of Tadhg Kennelly, who has linked up once more with the Sydney Swans.

A year at home in Ireland saw one All-Ireland winner's medal and one All-Star for Kennelly, but having been such a success in Australia, his Swans colleague are delighted to be welcoming him back.

"Tadhg is a fantastic inclusion for us," co-captain Adam Goodes was quoted as saying by the Irish Examiner. "It's not just about his football, but Tadhg as a person.

"I'm sure he'll take some sort of leadership role when he gets here because that's the type of person he is and that's how much he loves and cares about the club. It will be good to have him back on deck and he'll hopefully give us a bit of colour."

Massive Banville blow for Models

2009-11-17T10:48:11+00:00

Wexford forward PJ Banville has been ruled out of the 2010 National Football League after he suffered a broken leg.

Banville, who played a key role as Horeswood won the Model County Championship before being downed by Longford's Clonguish in Leinster, suffered the huge blow when playing soccer for St. Leonard's FC in the Wexford league.

The injury is believed to be a clean break but the player will remain unavailable to recently reappointed Wexford boss Jason Ryan for several months.

Wexford suffered relegation from Division Two of the National Football League last season and were well beaten by Kildare in the Leinster quarter-final before exiting the qualifiers after a replay to Roscommon.

They begin their 2010 Division Three campaign with a game against Leinster rivals Louth but are unlikely to have Banville available for any of that competition, their daunting Leinster Championship opener - a quarter-final against five-in-a-row winners Dublin - his earliest likely return.

With star forward Matty Forde continuously burdened with injuries of his own, the loss of Banville is a major one for the Models.

Stadia name changes not fancied by chairmen

2009-11-17T09:32:05+00:00

Some of the GAA’s county chairmen have insisted that changing the names of stadia to please sponsors is not a road that they would be keen to go down.

Cavan have four years remaining on a deal that sees Kingspan in the name of their stadium – Kingspan Breffni Park – with the Breffni County believed to be taking €40,000 a year for the privilege.

The issue has arisen over the last week as several soccer teams across channel have looked at following in the footsteps of Arsenal and Newcastle United, who have sponsors titles in their ground names, while the ongoing economic decline has seen a lot of worry over a potential drop in sponsorship figures, a drop that selling the naming rights could offset.

However, Kerry chairman Jerome Conway and Westmeath counterpart Tom Farrell are both sceptical that it would be the right way to go.

“It was never once discussed and I don’t envisage that it will be,” Conway was quoted as saying by the Irish Daily Mail
.
“We’re a very traditional and conservative association in many ways. We value our past and that’s right and proper.

“I couldn’t see it happening in our country with many of our main stadia. Austin Stack Park (in Tralee) and Fitzgerald Stadium (Killarney) are names that mean an awful lot to the county.

“Obviously you never say never but I couldn’t see us going down that road at all.”

Farrell added: “It’s never been discussed.

“In these economic times if someone came with a fine big offer you’d consider it, but it’s never happened. Personally I wouldn’t be for or against it until I (had) seen something in black and white.

“People in Westmeath would feel pretty strongly that Cusack Park is our ground and the name has a strong association with us. Whatever happened Cusack Park certainly couldn’t be lost from the name.”

McGourty focused on county success

2009-11-15T16:31:37+00:00

Conor McGourty would welcome a return to Antrim senior football panel but his mind is currently focused on helping St Gall's to the Ulster Club SFC title.

McGourty was dropped from the Antrim panel due to a breach of discipline and he would be delighted to return to the county side ahead of the 2010 League and Championship campaigns, but he insists he sole goal at the moment is guiding St Gall's to the Ulster final.

"Obviously a couple of factors have to come right here and there, but you never say no to anything in this life," McGourty said.

"Anything can come around the corner - you just never know what is going to happen.

"There are factors there to be dealt with Antrim. But at the end of the day, hopefully there are not dealt with until after March and hopefully St. Gall's are All-Ireland champions by that stage."

The Saffrons made history in 2009 by reaching the Ulster Championship final for the first time in 31 years before taking eventual All-Ireland winners Kerry close in the fourth round of the qualifiers.

McGourty was delighted with the progress the county made this year and would like to be a member of the 2010 panel, but he insists he is not looking beyond the club campaign.

"Fair play to Antrim, they did very well over the summer and no one holds that against them," he added.

"At the end of the day, I think Aodhan Gallagher said it and I saw Rory Kavanagh saying it in the Irish News last week - 'your county is your county, but there is that extra bit of pressure on you when it comes to your club.'

"You want to do better with the club than you do with the county and no one holds that against you.

"I will be back in an Antrim jersey some day but the ultimate goal is to win this Sunday, win an Ulster title and try and win an All-Ireland title.

"If that happens then great, we'll have a look at Antrim after that."

Davoren on road to recovery

2009-11-15T13:12:08+00:00

Mark Davoren's rehabilitation from cruciate knee ligament surgery is progressing to schedule and the Dublin football star has set his sights at playing some part in the Allianz National League.

The Kilmacud Crokes forward suffered the injury when making his championship debut for Dublin in the win over Meath in June and was forced to watch on from the sidelines as Pat Gilroy's men collected the Leinster title before losing to eventual winners Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

It has been a frustrating few months for the players, who underwent surgery on his cruciate ligament shortly after sustaining the injury, but he is back in light training and is getting ready to start building up his work.

"While I have tried to remain positive since I got injured, there is no denying it has been a tough time for me and I still have quite a bit more work to do before I might be ready to play once more," Davoren admitted.

"While I have got a lot of support from people inside and outside of football, it has been lonely at times putting in the effort needed to build up my fitness.

"But bit by bit I have been making progress and now I can see some light at the end of what is a long tunnel.

"Thankfully, the surgery went well for me and I have been able to do some work in the gym and swimming pool, and the next step of note will be to start twisting and turning the knee in running. That will probably come in January and from then on, it will be a case of continuing to get stronger.

"Hopefully, I will be in a position to play in the League. If that happens, then I will be very happy and I can look forward to the Championship that will follow."

Daveron had worked hard to earn his place in the Gilroy's side and the injury has meant he will have to start afresh if he is to enter the manager's thoughts for the League and Championship.

"Everything changed in the Meath game and it will be like starting over again next season," he is quoted as saying in the News Of The World. "It will be a big challenge trying to get into the the side on a regular basis again, but I am determined to give it my best. Playing for Dublin was always a big ambition for me when I was younger."

Cassidy wants open draw

2009-11-15T12:08:36+00:00

Damien Cassidy is in favour of a change to the current structure for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship to address the imbalances in each of the four provinces.

There have been calls for the GAA to scrap the provincial titles in favour of a Champions League format for the SFC and while Cassidy accepts getting rid of the championships could upset traditionalists, he believes the changes would benefit the majority of counties.

The Derry manager has suggested eight groups of four teams, which would guarantee each county at least three championships matches, with the top team qualifying for the All-Ireland quarter-finals. The second, third and fourth placed teams would then fight it out for a place in tier two, three and four finals.

"You will then ends up with four finals, with all of the counties at various levels participating on the same weekends," Cassidy explained.

"But I accept that the politics behind them are not simple. The Ulster Council has to be viewed in terms of model practice in how they have reinvested money back into clubs and developed games and coaching standards.

"That's where the real analysis and hard work would have to be done, but there's nothing wrong with good healthy debate which then allows people to make informed decisions."

Cassidy's suggestion has come in the wake of the draw for the 2010 Ulster Championship which sees Derry facing a tricky path if they are to emerge victorious from the province - the Oak Leaf will take on Armagh in a preliminary match on May 16 with the winners facing Monaghan for a place in the semi-finals, meaning they will have to play four matches in order to win the Ulster crown.

"The draw once again highlights the imbalance in the current structures at provincial level," Cassidy is quoted as saying in the News Of The World.

"On May 16, other teams won't even be limbering up and that makes no sense at all. Setting all of that aside, it's a tough draw but it's a good one. It's not a draw that terrifies us as these are games that can be won, but I'm sure the teams playing us are thinking the same way.

"It's easy to turn around and talk about open draws but certain provincial councils will scrap tooth and nail to fight anything that will diminish their income capacity.

"But I certainly think it's coming close to the time where Croke Park needs to put together a group of people to look at all of the options."

McEntee makes management move

2009-11-14T16:20:58+00:00

Former Orchard county star Tony McEntee has made his first foray into management after taking joint-charge of Armagh club kingpins Crossmaglen Rangers.

The 32-year-old won an All-Ireland with his county in 2002 but retired along with twin brother John in 2007, before continuing on a long run of success with Cross which saw the club amass thirteen SFC titles in a row in Armagh, seven Ulster SFCs and four All-Ireland club SFCs. However, Rangers were dethroned by Pearse Og in 2009 and following the departure of manager Donal Murtagh, who has joined the backroom team of newly-appointed county boss Paddy O'Rourke, McEntee has got the nod for a joint-manager role with his club.

Joining him at the helm will be former club and county colleague Gareth O'Neill, who also had a spell playing for Louth when playing club football in the county with Cooley Kickhams. O'Neill has also played club football in Meath and played Interprovincial football with Leinster.

"We were lucky enough to have such highly respected, quality individuals within the club who were prepared to step up and take this on," said Crossmaglen secretary Gerard Rushe. "It would be a tradition in Cross' to appoint managers from within the club and thankfully we were in the position to appoint from within again."

Westmeath star to take year out

2009-11-14T11:23:44+00:00

Westmeath manager Brendan Hackett will have to do without talented defender Kieran Gavin for the 2010 season after the player made himself unavailable for selection.

The 21-year-old plans to spend next summer in San Francisco and thinks there is no point in playing for the Lake County in the National Football League if he will not be around in the summer.

"I'm an all or nothing sort of person," the Mullingar Shamrocks clubman was quoted as saying by hoganstand.com.

"I spoke to Brendan Hackett for the first time yesterday and I told him that there would be no point in me playing in the league if I'm not going to here for the championship. Besides, I feel I need a break from football after the amount I've played between senior, under 21, minor with my club and county, and colleges with DCU, over the past few years.

"John Keane took a year out from football to go travelling when he was about my age and he said it did him the power of good. I mightn't get a chance like this again, so I'm determined to take it."

Gavin made his senior debut three years ago and hopes to be back in the team in the future, but his decision to take a year out will only heighten calls for two-time All Star John Keane to reverse his decision to retire.