NEWS ROUND-UP:THE FUTURE of the Railway Cup was cast into further doubt yesterday with comments by GAA president Nickey Brennan that the interprovincial championships, now sponsored by M Donnelly, were "past their sell-by date".

Speaking at the launch of the AIB club championships at the company headquarters in Ballsbridge, Dublin, the president said: "The people have voted with their feet in relation to the interprovincial championships. That is the reality of the situation and I think we are trying to keep them going.

"I make no bones about it they may be gone past their sell-by date. I appreciate that is probably going to cause a headline or two. But so be it. The reality is that our fixtures programme is too cluttered and we need to make time for club competitions."

Responding to criticism of the timing of the competition this year when many top players will be away at the International Rules series in Australia, Brennan said it was very difficult to find a suitable time for the competition. "I would like someone to tell me when it is the ideal time to play the interprovincials. It is a competition that quite frankly, we are finding very hard to fit into the calendar.

"The public have given us their views on the interprovincials for quite some time now and I know some people enjoy playing in them but quite frankly, trying to accommodate it . . . It is far more important at this time of the year that we try and make space for club championships of one kind or another than anything else and that is the priority.

"I would concede that the international rules does cut across that. But I think by and large it is only every two years that you are out of the country if it is to continue. We are accommodating the interprovincials at the only time they can be accommodated."

Rejecting suggestions by the sponsor Martin Donnelly that it be played in January at start of the year Brennan pointed out the advent of the calendar-year season had ruled that out.

"There is no prospect of that happening. We have got to bear in mind that intercounty players are not allowed to train in November or December so to suggest to an intercounty manager that his players be taken away for a weekend or two to play interprovincials and you'd have wholesale riot."

He also said a move of the club championships to conclude before Christmas was under consideration although he questioned the practicality of the idea.

Meanwhile, Ireland's international rules manager Seán Boylan has named Tyrone All-Ireland winner Seán Cavanagh as captain of the team, which will play Australia in the two-Test series in Australia next month.

Cork's Graham Canty has been confirmed as vice-captain. Both men are vastly experienced in the international game.

Cavanagh, a member of the Moy club and favourite to become footballer of the year, will now represent his country in his fourth Test Series, having been part of the Ireland team's that hosted Australia in 2006 and 2004, as well as playing in Peter McGrath's ill-fated side that lost by record margins in the series three years ago.

Canty toured Australia in 2005, 2003 and 2001 and has already played on 10 occasions for his country, gaining a reputation as one of the best defenders to have played for Ireland.

He captained his country in 2003 when Kerry's Séamus Moynihan was unable to travel and put in a couple of battling performances on Australia's colossal forward Barry Hall. He was sorely missed with a knee injury during the last series in 2006.

"Seán Cavanagh has been in the form of his life this year" said the manager. "He was man of the match in the All-Ireland final and was one of the key players in Tyrone's march to glory this year.

"He is an excellent communicator and leads by example on the field. He is also ideally suited to the international game and it is a tremendous boost to have him on board for the trip Down Under.

"Graham is a natural leader. You only have to think of the way he came up the field to score the winning goal for Cork in the closing moments of their Munster Championship game with Limerick this year when they looked down and out.

"He has starred for Ireland in the past and is one of the best defenders in Gaelic football at the moment."