Stand-off continuesDavid Fitzgerald was absent from last night's Clare training session as the stand-off between the long-serving goalkeeper and team manager Tony Considine continues.
Considine refused to comment on the situation when quizzed by reporters following Sunday's Munster Cup hurling semi-final defeat by Tipperary. And Fitzgerald was also non-contactable yesterday as speculation grows he will not be returning to the panel.
It is understood that Fitzgerald has been unhappy with certain aspects of recent training sessions, but the problems between the pair date back to an alleged row at the 2005 All Stars function in Dublin.
Death of Bertie Troy
The death has taken place of Canon Bertie Troy, who coached the Cork hurlers to the game's last three-in-a-row from 1976-78. Canon Troy, who passed away unexpectedly on Sunday at the age of 76, was parish priest of Midleton until his retirement in 2005.
A native of Newtownshandrum, he hurled with the local club and having been ordained in 1955 taught for 21 years in St Colman's College, Fermoy where his coaching talents first came to general attention. He also had a successful term as coach of the county minors, winning three All-Irelands (1969-71).
Jimmy Barry-Murphy played for Canon Troy at both minor and senior level. "He was a lovely man, fanatical about hurling. And very forward thinking in preparing teams."
He will be lying in repose at Holy Rosary Church, Midleton today from noon to 5pm. Reception prayers will be at 7pm. Funeral Mass is tomorrow in Midleton at noon.
Central role for Kelly?
Tipperary's Eoin Kelly could be set for a new role in attack this season - at centre forward. The Mullinahone forward has racked up five All Star awards in the corner forward position, but for the Munster Cup competition, he has been deployed on the 40 to great effect.
Kelly's clubmate, Tipperary senior team selector John Leahy, has hinted that he could be in for an extended run in the number 11 shirt. "Eoin is adding a whole new dimension at centre forward which is helping," said Leahy. "They're working well as a unit and at that end of the field, you want them playing very well, learning each other's pattern of play and working off each other."
In Brief . . .
All Star corner back Brian Murphyis a doubt for Sunday's Munster SH Cup final with Tipperary. The Bride Rovers defender has a calf problem and he's unlikely to be fit in time for the final . . . The Tyrone County Board has hit out at what it describes as an unacceptable delay in fixing the Ulster club IFC semi-final replay between Stewartstownand Armagh champions Ballymacnab. No date has yet been fixed for the game, due an ongoing appeal by Ballymacnab over the punishment it received as a result of a brawl which marred the drawn game last November. The winners of the rematch will face Derry champions Owen Roes, Coleraine, in the provincial final . . . TG4have announced their GAA schedules for the coming season. The live broadcasts confirmed so far are:
Sunday, Feb 4th- NFL: Mayo v Kerry (2.30). Saturday, Feb 10th- All-Ireland Club SHC Semi-final: Ballyhale Shamrocks v Toomevara (1.00). Sunday, Feb 11th- All-Ireland Club SHC Semi-final: Loughrea v Cushendall (1.00). Sunday, Feb 18th- All-Ireland Club SFC Semi-final: Dr Crokes v Moorefield (2.15). Sunday, Feb 25th- NFL: Donegal v Dublin (2.30). Sunday, Mar 4th- NHL: Kilkenny v Tipperary (2.30). Saturday, Mar 10th- Fitzgibbon Cup Final. Sunday, Mar 11th- NFL: Round Four match. Saturday, Mar 17th- All-Ireland Club SHC final (2.00), All-Ireland Club SFC final (3:40).
