All GAA is quiet on New Year’s Day, except for the Dublin footballers and hurlers, most of whom will play some part in the annual Dubs Stars challenge games this Thursday.
The hurlers are out first (12.30pm), followed by the footballers (2pm), with both games taking place at the Parnell’s GAA club in Coolock, home club of Dublin football captain Stephen Cluxton.
This year’s event will mark the first official day out for new Dublin hurling manager Ger Cunningham, who has taken over the reins from Anthony Daly.
Cunningham, like Gavin, can only opt for Dublin players not chosen on the Dubs Stars selection, which is effectively a county All Star selection based on performances in the Dublin county championship.
Dominated
Back-to-back county champions St Vincent’s inevitably dominated the football selection, with nine club players selected, while beaten finalists St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh have three.
For Cunningham, the former All-Ireland hurling winning goalkeeper with Cork, Thursday’s game marks his first step of a three-year term.
Among the players Cunningham won’t have at his disposal for this first test are Danny Sutcliffe and Shane Durkin, both of whom are included in the Dub Stars hurling selection.
Gavin will also be using Thursday to get some clearer picture of what players will be available for him for the opening round of the O’Byrne Cup on Sunday, when Dublin host NUI Maynooth at Parnell Park.
It has also been announced that Dublin have agreed an arrangement with county sponsors AIG to allow them wear the logo of the Irish Heart Foundation on the front of the jersey for the duration of the O’Byrne Cup, as part of a special health promotion campaign in association with AIG.
Meanwhile, Mickey Harte has confirmed his Tyrone football panel ahead of the Dr McKenna Cup on Sunday, which for him begins with a tricky assignment against Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh at the Athletic Grounds.
There are at least two very notable absentees from the panel, given the retirement this year of both Stephen O’Neill and Martin Penrose.
Personal reasons
Seasoned campaigners such as Sean Cavanagh, Colm Cavanagh and Justin McMahon are included in the 26-man panel, while 2013 All Star nominee Cathal McCarron is also back on board having opted out last year for personal reasons.
There is still no sign of Conor Gormley, however, as the three-time All-Ireland winner has yet to make a firm commitment for 2015. Joe McMahon is also left out after his long club campaign with Omagh, although he is expected to be back on board for the beginning of the league.
