Possible delays surrounding several county championships could result in clubs missing the appointed dates in the provincial championships, the opening rounds of which start later this month. The most pressing problem is with the Galway football championship and the controversy with Killererin, who are maintaining their claim for reinstatement.
A full meeting of the Galway County Board will tonight make one last attempt to resolve the problem. Killererin were disqualified from the championship several weeks ago for refusing to play extra-time after drawing with An Cheathrú Rua. Appeals to the Galway football board, county board and the Connacht Council failed.
The GAA's disputes committee referred the matter back to the football board, with the county's disciplinary committee reiterating that Killererin would not be allowed back into the championship - and that An Cheathrú Rua should meet Corofin in the quarter-final.
But, with the threat of legal action, that quarter-final has yet to be played. Killererin argue that their case has been lost on technicalities and has not been dealt with properly, but in the meantime the entire championship has been held up.
Champions Annaghdown, along with Milltown and Mountbellew-Moylough, have already progressed to the semi-finals.
It was ruled last year that all county championships must be concluded by the time the successful club is due to appear in the provincial championships. In Galway's case, the successful club is due to play the Sligo champions (either Eastern Harps or Coolera/Strandhill) on October 26th, yet with at least four games still to be played the county is almost certain to miss that date.
In Leinster, Meath and Dublin are in danger of missing their opening games of the provincial football championship for different reasons. The Meath championship had been delayed because of the controversy with Blackhall Gaels, who were granted a replay with reigning county champions Dunshaughlin after the county board declared their original quarter-final tie void.
Blackhall had defeated Dunshaughlin in the original clash but were subsequently ejected from the championship for fielding county player Anthony Moyles, who was deemed to be ineligible. As a result of the re-fixture the championship has fallen behind schedule, although there is some time to play with as the Meath champions aren't out until the second round in Leinster, set for November 10th.
Dublin's case is different still in that their county final is set for November 3rd. Any need for a replay, however, could cause an overlap with their first outing in Leinster (on November 10th, against the Longford or Wicklow champions), although a spokesperson for the Leinster Council yesterday wasn't ruling out the possibility of a postponement of the fixture should it be requested.
Meanwhile, as the season of managerial switching continues, there was one unanimous reappointment yesterday with Art McRory and Eugene McKenna to continue as joint Tyrone managers.
The Monaghan County Board are tonight expected to confirm Colm Coyle as new senior football manager in succession to Jack McCarville. Formerly with Seneschalstown, Coyle acted as a Meath selector for the past two years.
Former Galway player Brian Talty is being strongly tipped to replace Mick O'Dwyer as manager of the Kildare senior football team. Talty, who played at midfield in the 1983 All-Ireland final between Dublin and Galway, has received overtures from Kildare County Board officials.
A second level school teacher, he has a strong record as a coach. He is a Dublin under-21 team selector and has managed Dublin minor teams.
