This weekend sees the conclusion of a useful experiment in the GAA. During this season of secondary competitions in the four provinces, Connacht have allowed the third level colleges in the province to enter the FBD Connacht League as preparation for the Sigerson Cup.
Section Two will be decided on a straight shoot-out between Roscommon and Galway-Mayo IT, who have already beaten county teams Sligo and Leitrim.
"With Sligo IT winning the Sigerson last year we thought we could do something to help the other colleges," according to provincial secretary John Prenty. "It was discussed two or three times by the counties and all five agreed it, even though one of the things tied into it was that the colleges would have first call on any county players.
"It's ideal for us because we've three colleges and five counties, which gives us a neat eight teams. In other provinces it mightn't be so easy."
Former Galway and Roscommon manager John Tobin, the new director of coaching and games administration for Connacht, sees great advantage in the innovation.
"Eighty per cent of intercounty footballers are going through third level," he says. "And the county players are being murdered between the two commitments. This cuts down on it at a busy time for the colleges."
"It's been absolutely fantastic for us," says GMIT coach Damien Curley. "Normally we'd be travelling up and down the country playing challenges. Now we've competitive games in convenient locations and the positive results have been a bonus. The only downside is that the element of surprise is gone with the Sigerson starting in two weeks."
Meanwhile, Wexford top scorer Paul Codd looks set to miss the opening series of National Hurling League games. Codd (27), has just embarked on a holiday in Australia and will not return home until late February.
With county champions Rathnure having to nominate the hurling captain, Codd is the obvious choice. For the first defence of the Walsh Cup against Laois on Sunday next the management team, however, must come up with an interim leader.
New Laois manager Paudie Butler has announced an experimental side with only five regulars, Cyril Cuddy, Paul Cuddy, Joe Phelan, Fionan O'Sullivan and James Young, included in the starting 15.
Former Clones and Monaghan county player Michael Slowey, who emigrated to the US a few years ago, is joining Dublin club Ballyboden St Enda's now that his transfer back from New York has been completed. Slowey had established himself on the county scene before departing for the US and made headlines when playing in New York and represented them in the championship.
LAOIS (SH v Wexford): K Galvin; L Mahon, Patrick Cuddy, T Phelan; C Cuddy, Paul Cuddy, J Phelan; J Young, E Maher; B McCormack, P Mahon, E Fennelly; M Dunphy, L Tynan, F O'Sullivan.
MONAGHAN (SF v Tyrone): G Murphy; C Flanagan, D McKenna, P McKenna; J Conlon, D Duffy, JP Mone; A Rooney, J Hughes; P Finlay, G Meehan, T Freeman; C Tavey, R Ronaghan, D Freeman.
