Serious fallout caused by Sligo opting out: Sligo manager James Kearins told a meeting of the county board last night that it was regrettable for all concerned how the Tommy Murphy Cup saga had unfolded and that this could never have been the intention of anyone involved at the outset.
He said that as a result of what transpired, serious misinformation and malicious rumour had engulfed the county and tarnished all concerned with the association at the highest level.
"We feel that our professional approach to the job and our integrity as professional people has been seriously damaged," said Kearins.
The manager declined to prepare the county team for the cup believing that it would be of little benefit to Sligo football.
Kearins said the most serious points arising from the saga were alleged intimidation of team members who were members of the Garda Síochána, alleged intimidation of an individual considered to be a prospective applicant to the Garda Síochána and alleged intimidation of players.
It has been wrongly suggested "that I encouraged players not to play in the Tommy Murphy Cup," said Kearins.
Kearins said these allegations which were without foundation were potentially damaging to himself "as I hold a senior position within the Garda Síochána".
Dempsey set to take over at Longford
Luke Dempsey looks set to be unveiled as the new Longford football manager on Friday. A specially convened committee has carried out a number of interviews and now seem set to appoint the former Westmeath boss who is a teacher at Rochfortbridge College.
Dempsey became caretaker manager of Carlow this summer and ironically guided them to victory over Longford in the Leinster championship before succumbing to Laois.
He has refused to confirm the appointment, but it would be a far easier role to take on due to his proximity to Longford.
Also, he has decided not to train the senior panel in his school this year, opting to run the under-14 side instead.
Former Fermanagh boss Dominic Corrigan, Peter Ford and John O'Mahony were all initially approach to interview for the role, but turned it down.
Barry issues complaint about Meath official
Eamonn Barry, who recently failed for the third year running to depose Seán Boylan as Meath football manager, has made an official complaint accusing a county board official of canvassing clubs. He lost out in a straight race on Monday night by the lowest margin yet, 50-37. This was a significant improvement from the 69-19 defeat last year.
Barry has a decent pedigree at club level with Dunshaughlin and has made no secret of his wish to become the Meath manager. However, he has not confirmed whether he will run again next year."Naturally I'm disappointed to lose, especially considering there is a fierce mood for change within the county," he said.
Barry claims to have made a complaint to the board last Wednesday and put it in writing on Monday in advance of the club meeting to decide the new manager for next year.
Although Boylan is still held in high regard throughout the county his role has come under greater scrutiny after successive defeats to Fermanagh in the All-Ireland qualifier series.
Also, this is the worst period in Boylan's reign as Meath have failed to win a Leinster title since 2001. Yet, no former players such as Colm Coyle and Colm O'Rourke would stand against their old mentor despite being nominated. Regardless, Boylan will have another year to improve the Royal County's fortunes, while Barry is currently not even managing a club team.
Hill 16 to partially open for hurling final
The GAA has confirmed that the capacity of Croke Park for next Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final will be just under 78,500. This is a reduction of approximately 1,000 on last year's capacity, caused by the redevelopment work to Hill 16.
The new Hill, which has not yet been fully completed, will hold 8,773 people on Sunday. This is 80 percent of the current capacity. The safety authorities may increase this terrace capacity for the football final. When the Nally Corner is fully completed the stadium will hold 82,300.
Fahy expected to stay at helm in Offaly
Gerry Fahy is expected to be given a second term as Offaly football manager, despite a poor championship performance that saw the county lose to both Westmeath and Wexford this summer. A county board meeting, late last night, was to ratify the football boards recommendation of another year after Fahy won the Division Two title for the first time and beat old rivals Kildare in the first round of the qualifiers. The board voted (20 to 16) to recommend Fahy two weeks ago.
Although it was far from an ideal championship run by Offaly this summer, the county board did come in for heavy criticism in the wake of the dismissal of Paul O'Kelly last year after just one season at the helm.
McEnaney to referee senior football final
Pat McEnaney of Monaghan has been appointed to referee the All-Ireland football championship final between Mayo and Kerry on September 26th.
McEnaney has already taken charge of two major finals at Croke Park this year - the league final between Kerry and Galway, and the drawn Leinster senior final of Westmeath and Laois last month. He was also in charge of the Kerry-Dublin All-Ireland quarter-final.
A member of the Corduff club, McEnaney is one of the most experienced referees in the country. He has previously been in charge of three All-Ireland senior finals - the Meath v Mayo draw and replay of 1996, and the Kerry v Galway draw in 2000.
The Monaghan man has taken charge of provincial finals in all four provinces and has been on championship duty in New York. He has also officiated as an Irish referee/umpire in the International Rules Test series between Ireland and Australia.
Wexford's Thomas Quigley will referee the Minor final between Kerry and Tyrone. The Davidstown/Courtnacuddy club man has handled numerous senior championship games including this year's meeting of Carlow and Longford in Leinster and the Munster meeting of Limerick and Waterford.
He has also refereed O'Byrne Cup and Under-21 Championship games in Leinster and took charge of four games in the National Football League this year.
15-a-side competition wins the day
Limerick club Garryspillane will not be defending their All-Ireland Sevens crown in Dublin at the weekend. Plans were thrown out of gear when they finished level with Adare in last Sunday's Limerick senior hurling quarter finals at the Gaelic Grounds. The replay has been pencilled in for Saturday, at the same venue.
Club official John Tobin said that while they deeply regretted having to pull out of the Kilmacud Sevens, they owed it to their supporters to put full concentration on furthering their ambition to win the county title for the first time. Now that 2003 winners Patrickswell have been dumped out by their south Limerick neighbours Knockainey, he said, Garryspillane felt they would never have a better opportunity to realise their dream. Current Limerick captain TJ Ryan is the club's most prized asset.
