Davy’s back in Wexford and Tipp are on top.

THREE TIMES IN six weeks earlier this summer, Derek McGrath and Davy Fitzgerald faced off on the sideline in Thurles.

The results helped shape their campaigns with the league success proving the high-water mark of Clare’s season under Fitzgerald, while the Munster semi-final triumph helped McGrath’s Waterford rebound and travel on a championship journey deep into August.

They got well-acquainted and even Davy’s departure from Clare has not pushed him out of the inter-county limelight for too long.

16 days after his Clare exit, Davy’s arrival in Wexford was confirmed. ‘It’s a match made in heaven’, is McGrath’s opinion.

Waterford hurling boss Derek McGrath

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

“I’m glad Davy is back involved because I think he absolutely loves hurling, he’s obsessed with it.

“I actually was watching something on Monday night there, just watching back a bit of analysis of Wexford Cork, when Cork beat Wexford well last year in the championship down in Wexford Park.

“On the Sunday Game that night, Donal Óg was there and Donal Óg pointed to how well structured the Wexford team was under Liam Dunne and they were beginning to do the right things.

“For me I think it’s a match made in heaven. It’s a perfect match, Davy and Wexford.

“Wexford, I think have a lot of good players. In terms of a management and in terms of a pressure free zone, I think it’s an ideal scenario for Davy in that you’re in (Division) 1B and there’s not the same stigmatised approach in terms of relegation and promotion that there is in (Division) 1A from your respective supporters.

“I think the Wexford people will welcome Davy down to continue the excellent work that I thought Liam Dunne has done already.”

Liam Dunne and Derek McGrath after this year’s All-Ireland quarter-final

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

If Fitzgerald’s installation in the south-east is the most eye-catching appointment in the close season, the front-runners at the outset for 2017 will be the current champions Tipperary.

McGrath feels that the playing resources at their disposal indicate the current strength of Tipperary hurling.

“Not to be hypocritical, I expected Kilkenny to win (the final) because I just expected they’d find a way to win.

“(It was) not based on absolute logic, it was more a gut feeling. I just thought they’d find a way to win.

“Looking back on it, you’d have to say now Tipperary were so primed for the final with their attacking threat. The sextet up front in terms of what they can do, their inter-changing and the space they created on the day.

“These fellas are solid, they’ve always been solid fellas. The advantage that Tipperary have I suppose is Tipperary’s minors won the All-Ireland impressively, if that was a situation in Waterford we would probably fast forward those guys straight away.

The Tipperary minor players celebrate at the end of their All-Ireland minor final win

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

“Tipperary for me are at the stage where those fellas can serve an apprenticeship similar to Kilkenny where over the years, you don’t have to rush them in.

“A few years ago we took a decision that was the best policy going forward to get guys in.

“So I think Tipperary are in a really strong position. Even ourselves we were playing Thurles in the Harty last week with De La Salle and Thurles wiped us. There’s lots and lots of hurlers in Tipperary.”

Closer to home, McGrath was able to celebrate an underage success as well. The core of the Waterford U21 team that blitzed Galway to achieve All-Ireland glory are part of the senior squad.

“We were delighted as a management ourselves, 12 of them were involved with us over the last few years. It’s great that there was something tangible in terms of a cup at the end of the year.

Waterford players celebrate their All-Ireland U21 final victory

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

“With encouragement comes a kind of a forewarning though. If you met a guy on the street, ‘he’d say you’d have a job picking that team next year with the U21′s’, whereas the reality is the U21′s are in with us already.

“The major core of that U21 team have been exposed to senior level. Put TJ Ryan’s situation (in Limerick) last year, promoting guys from U21, some of them had actually never played senior.

“Our lads have already played at senior level, so it’s a different dynamic, albeit there’s one or two you’d hope to pick from going into the future.”

*****************

Derek McGrath has been named as the Gaelic Writers Association 2016 Hurling Personality of the Year. The GWA awards ceremony takes place in Dublin’s Jackson Court Hotel tonight.

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The Galway team before their clash with Clare in July

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

GALWAY HURLING MANAGER Micheal Donoghue is turning to youth in a bid to end the county’s All-Ireland famine with five long-serving players not included in a 40-man squad for winter training.

Former captains David Collins, Fergal Moore and Andy Smith, along with other experienced performers such as Cyril Donnellan and Iarla Tannian, have not been included in the squad which has commenced conditioning training.

Castleknock 0-11
St Jude’s 1-4

Paul Keane reports from Parnell Park

CIARAN KILKENNY IS on the verge of making another piece of history after guiding Castleknock to a shock Dublin SFC final place.

Dublin’s back-to-back All-Ireland medal winning half-forward pulled the strings from midfield on a famous night at Parnell Park that saw the west Dubliners book a maiden final spot.

Kilkenny won three crucial frees that were converted by Des Carlos during a second-half that Castleknock dominated.

Carlos finished with nine points in total and kicked two great points from play late in the game that copper fastened an impressive win.

Their reward for the breakthrough victory is a final date with powerhouse outfit St Vincent’s on Saturday week back at the Donneycarney venue.

Castleknock’s Kevin Kindlon with Seamus Ryan of St Jude’s.

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Jude’s were big favourites to win here and Castleknock will fancy their chances of another upset against four-in-a-row finalists Vincent’s.

They ground Jude’s into submission with a possession based game that frustrated the Kevin McManamon led outfit.

McManamon finished with 1-1 and put Jude’s 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after 10 minutes with a great point but they couldn’t kick on.

The teams were tied at 0-3 apiece after a forgettable first-half notable for the amount of possession Castleknock enjoyed as they passed across the pitch, back and forth.

They lacked a vital cutting edge up front for spells and it looked as if Judes might make them pay when McManamon scored a trademark solo goal after 46 minutes to put the south Dublin outfit 1-4 to 0-6 ahead.

Remarkably, Jude’s didn’t score again and Castleknock finished with five points in a row, four of those from Carlos to progress in some style and keep their eye on the big prize.

Scorers for Castleknock: Des Carlos 0-9 (0-7f), Mikey Galvin, Ben Galvin 0-1 each.

Scorers for St Judes: Kevin McManamon 1-1, Kieran Doherty, Declan Donnelly, Niall Coakley (0-1f) 0-1 each.

Castleknock

1. Morven Connolly

2. Tom Quinn
3. Eoin O’Brien
4. Paul Bourke

5. Graham Hannigan
6. Tom Shiels
7. Peter Sherry

8. Ciaran Kilkenny
9. James Sherry

10. Des Carlos
11. Shane Boland
12. Ben Galvin

13. Colin Lynch
14. Kevin Kindlon
15. Mikey Galvin

Subs

John Kindlon for M Galvin 48
Matthew Griffin for B Galvin 58
Tom Corcoran for Lynch 58

St Jude’s

1. Paul Copeland

2. Rob Martina
3. Paul Cunningham
4. Robert Finnegan

5. Mark Sweeney
6. Conor McBride
7. Billy Sheehan

8. Colm Murphy
9. Seamus Ryan

10. Kieran Doherty
11. Ronan Joyce
12. Thomas Lahiff

13. Niall Coakley
14. Declan Donnelly
15. Kevin McManamon

Subs 

Enda Dalton for Joyce h/t
Diarmuid McLoughlin for Lahiff 40
Paul Courtney for Murphy 42
Brendan McManamon for Coakley 52
Joey Donnelly for Doherty 52
Oisin Manning for Courtney 62 BC

Referee: James King.

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FORMER GALWAY HURLING manager John McIntyre says he’s not shocked that the county are still being denied home matches in the Leinster Championship.

The Leinster Council announced yesterday that Galway will have to continue travelling for their provincial fixtures next season, despite being in the competition since 2009. The exclusion of the Galway minors and U21 teams is also set to continue.

McIntyre, who stepped down in 2011, says little has changed since his time in charge when Galway were first introduced into the Leinster Championship.

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“It doesn’t come as a great surprise,” he told The42.

I think there’s a fair bit of self-preservation going on in Leinster. No matter how you look at it in terms of fairness, Galway are getting a raw deal here.

“During my three years in charge, we played Walsh Cup matches and Leinster Championship games. The only home game we had was against DCU and that was only because they weren’t a county team.

“It’s basically been the same under Anthony Cunningham and Micheal Donoghue. Galway has been travelling lengths and breadths for their matches and it’s very difficult to justify.”

Leinster Council Chairman John Horan outlined a number of reasons for upholding the stance on Galway, including an unwillingness among Leinster counties to travel to Galway’s Pearse Stadium in Salthill for games. He also added that Galway are financially compensated for the lack of home matches and receive €20,000 annually from the council.

McIntyre however, says this figure is insufficient.

“The Leinster Council are making virtue of the fact that they are paying Galway a sum to compensate but I don’t think €20,000 would even cover the cost of travelling to two or three games. There’s a lot of expense involved and it’s a bit of a sop to Galway really.”

In relation to the issue of Leinster counties travelling to Galway for provincial fixtures, McIntyre rebuked the argument presented by Leinster Council and said it would an enjoyable occasion for travelling supporters.

I think it’s a hollow argument and it doesn’t stand up to any rational scrutiny. The reality is that it’s all about self-preservation. If Galway were drawn at home in the Leinster championship, the bottom line is that the team they would playing would feel they’re at a disadvantage.

It was previously suggested that Galway would consider asking Croke Park to intervene if their request for home games was refused again this year. McIntyre says it’s only a matter of time before Galway hurling is provoked into action.

“You can understand why there’s a lot of disgruntled Galway hurling people around at the moment.

“The Leinster Council can’t have it both ways. Galway were invited in to help prop up an ailing championship. I think they have kept up their side of the bargain but they’re getting nothing in return.

€20,000 a year to fob them off really just doesn’t cut the mustard in the context of the cost of modern inter-county teams.

“The level of Galway mutiny over this remains to be seen,” McIntyre added.

“The ball is in Galway’s court now and they’ve basically been told, ‘We want you in Leinster but on our terms.’ If Galway were winning Leinster titles and winning All-Irelands, I don’t think this would matter but they’re not.”

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Connacht Rugby’s new signing Marnitz Boshoff pictured at the Sportsground today.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Home

• Katie Taylor has turned professional and will make her debut next month.
• The Ulster and Munster sides for Friday’s Pro12 clash have been named.
• There are six uncapped players in Ireland Women’s squad for the November series.
• A one-under par 71 sees Rory McIlroy in a tie for 24th after the first round in Shanghai.
• The three-man shortlist for the PFAI Manager of the Year award has been announced.
• Stevie Ray has stepped in to save UFC Belfast’s co-main event.

Away

• Arrests were made after crowd trouble marred last night’s West Ham-Chelsea match.
• Ex-Connacht man Dan McFarland has been appointed to Gregor Townsend’s Scotland coaching team.
• Wigan are reportedly ready to offer Ryan Giggs the manager job at the club.
• Ireland’s 2023 World Cup rivals South Africa are confident racial targets will be met for their bid to proceed.
• Jose Mourinho has been charged over comments made about referee Anthony Taylor.
• Robbie Keane and LA Galaxy have booked their place in the MLS Conference semis.

The Best Thing We Shared

Source: The42.ie/YouTube

Connacht head coach Pat Lam told us about his journey through the Polynesian-influenced Auckland rugby scene.

On The Record

If I do a Michael Darragh MacAuley and take eight steps I’ll be pulled up.”

We spoke to the runner hoping to break a world record by soloing this weekend’s Dublin Marathon.

Where we were today

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Sean Farrell spoke to Leinster and Ireland star Sean O’Brien at an event in Dublin this evening.

The Fixture List

• There are two important GAA fixtures taking place tomorrow — Milford v Inniscarra, Cork IT, 8pm in the Cork senior camogie final, and Lismore v Dunhill, Fraher Field, 7.30pm in the Waterford IHC final.
• There’s a full round of League of Ireland fixtures, including St Pat’s v Derry.
• QPR take on Brentford in the Championship.
• There are a couple of games in the Guinness Pro12, including Ulster v Munster.

Showbiz, Baby!

Paul O’Connell absolutely bossed A Question of Sport last night.

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Westport 1-9
Shurle-Glenncorrib 0-9

CONOR MORTIMER MADE his return to club action this evening but a cameo off the bench couldn’t prevent Shurle-Glencorrib slipping to defeat to Westport at MacHale Park.

Mayo’s all-time leading scorer had to wait until the fifth minute of the second-half to get his chance and while he marked his return with a point, it wasn’t enough as Lee Keegan’s Westport advanced to the Mayo intermediate football final.

When Mortimer was introduced, his side were trailing by four points and had failed to register a score in 20 minutes having raced into a five-point lead by the 14th minute.

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Mark Ronaldson did the early damage with three frees but Westport rallied in the second quarter of the game with Shane Scott’s goal on 16 minutes springing them into life.

Four points from Lewis Cawley saw Westport take a 1-4 to 0-5 lead into the break.

When Mortimer did get involved, he hit a sweet point with his left foot to cut the gap back to three points, which was greeted by approval from the large crowd who came to Castlebar on a cold Wednesday night.

He did have another effort that sailed wide a few minutes later, but he couldn’t impact the game in the way he would have hoped.

Unfortunately for the south Mayo side they were totally outplayed by Westport in the second half, with the seasiders hitting ten second-half wides to go with the five points the added on in that period.

Keegan wasn’t the attacking wing back that you’d associate with his Mayo performances, spending the evening picking up former inter-county man Mark Ronaldson who was a constant threat throughout, hitting six points over the hour.

While the return of Mortimer was the main focus before the game, his elder brother Trevor was also back in action for their home club and he was about to be introduced just before the full time whistle denied him his return.

But it’s Westport who advance to Saturday’s intermediate final against Kiltimagh at the same venue.

Westport scorers: Lewis Calwey (0-6, 5f), Shane Scott (1-0), Liam Staunton (0-1), Oisin McLaughlin (0-1), Paul Lambert (0-1).

Shrule-Glenncorrib scorers: Mark Ronaldson (0-6, 6f), Stephen Mullin (0-2), Conor Mortimer (0-1).

Shrule Glenncorrib

1. Gary Hennelly

2. Daryl McThighe
3. James O’Dowd
4. Ronan Walsh

5. Noel Sheridan
6. Johnny Naughton
7. Conor O’Dowd

8. James Lavelle
20. Kieran Walsh

10. Colm Hoverty
11. Mark Ronaldson
12. Shane Mellett

23. Nathan Magee
14. David Geraghty
15. Stephen Mullin

Subs:

18. Conor Bohan for Shane Mellett
29. Conor Mortimer for Kieran Walsh
19. Brendan Ryan for Nathan McGee
22. Eoin Hennelly for Stephen Mullin
21. Evan Cawley for Colin Hoverty

Westport

1. Patrick O’Malley

2. Niall McManamon
3. Kevin Keane
4. Liam Ketterick

5. Keelan Dever
6. James Walsh
7. Brian McDermott

8. Lee Keegan
9. Shane Scott

10. Fionn McDonagh
11. Phil Keegan
12. Colm Higgins

13. Colm Moran
25. Paul Lambert
15. Lewis Cawley

Subs:

14. Liam Staunton for Colm Higgins
19. David Horan for Paul Lambert
26. Ronan Geraghty for Colm Moran
27. Oisin McLaughlin for Fionn McDonagh
28. Brian O’Malley for Brian McDermott.

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The O’Donovan brothers have teamed up with Bord Bia To Launch Bord Bia Quality Assured Eggs.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Home

• Joe Schmidt has included six uncapped players in his 32-man squad for Ireland‘s four November Internationals.
• Despite concerns over his fitness, Johnny Sexton says he’s 100% fit for the opening game against New Zealand in Chicago in 5 November.
• Keith Earls, however, is out of the game after receiving a two-week ban for his tip tackle in Munster’s win over Glasgow.
• The decision on whether Dublin will play a championship game outside of Croke Park in 2017 will be decided next month.
• Munster’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus says it’s been difficult to get back to normal this week following the death of Anthony Foley.

Johnny Sexton at an Aer Lingus photo shoot at Dublin Airport.

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

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Away

• Jose Mourinho has described his living arrangements in Manchester as a ‘disaster’.
• Ben Te’o is in line to make his England debut next month after being included in Eddie Jones’ squad today.
• The Golden State Warriors were handed a shock defeat on the opening night of the NBA season.
• Zebre hooker Oliviero Fabiani has been suspended for nine weeks after biting Connacht’s Quinn Roux.
• One of the biggest names in women’s boxing has turned professional, and no it’s not Katie Taylor.

The Best Thing We Shared

Former Liverpool defender Gabriel Paletta saw red for this awful two-footed challenge playing for AC Milan.

Source: SOSO STUDIOS/YouTube

On The Record

“I knew it was there when JP, my caddie gave me a text and said thanks. I think his words were, “A tsunami just hit my bank account, so thank you very much.”

Rory McIlroy knew the whopping $11.5 million prize from his FedEx Cup win had landed in his bank account when he received a text from his caddie.

Where we were today

Ben Blake had a chat with the O’Donovan brothers, Murray Kinsella took a trip out to Dublin Airport to meet Johnny Sexton and Ryan Bailey spoke to Robbie Henshaw at the Canterbury Farm Fitness challenge.

The Fixture List

• In the Dublin SFC, St Judes take on Castleknock in the second semi-final at Parnell Park. Throw-in on Thursday is at 7.30pm.

Showbiz, Baby!

The Undertaker was in Cleveland last night as the Cavs opening their NBA title defence.

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The Galway team before their All-Ireland semi-final against Tipperary

Source: INPHO

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GALWAY ARE TO continue to hit a brick wall in their efforts to have a home senior hurling championship game in Leinster and to get their underage sides to compete in the province.

Since joining Leinster in 2009, Galway have yet to host a senior game while their minor and U21 hurling teams continue to commence their campaigns in the All-Ireland series.

Leinster Council Chairman John Horan believes if Ballinasloe was upgraded, then it could be a potential home venue for the Tribesmen and revealed they get an extra €20k ‘top-up’ annually to compensate for having no home match.

“There is no change within the body of Leinster Council and Galway have met the officers, they’ve met the management committee and they’ve come and met the full council, but the counties are just of the view.

“I think if Galway had Ballinasloe in shape, part of it is going as far as Salthill is partially the problem, it’s just the distance. You are going nearly the width of Galway to it.

Pearse Stadium

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

“We have discussed that every year and there is no change. In terms of their minors coming in, the same thing, no change.

“They play in the senior championship in hurling and that was what was agreed to. They play in the intermediate, that came in, in the last two years. That’s how people in Leinster feel.

“Galway do get financial recompense over and above everybody else in Leinster for the fact they are in the championship.

“So they do get a grant every year for they don’t get a home game in Galway where they say they could get ground rent or revenue.

“They have been looked after financially. They get their travel expenses as well. There is a 20 grand top up, they’ve been given. That is the story that is not told.”

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Shefflin, McManamon and Cooper will be in the club GAA spotlight this week

NINE COUNTY SENIOR finals, a couple of huge nights in Dublin club football and some significant clashes as the Leinster, Munster and Ulster senior club football championships kick into gear.

That’s the lot to get stuck into this week on the club GAA front with the Dublin football semi-finals pencilled in for the next two nights while the weekend sees senior football deciders in Mayo, Tipperary, Meath and Westmeath.

There’s county senior hurling finals to look forward to in Dublin and Kilkenny while it’s round two in Clare with Sunday’s replay in Ennis.

Potentially the game of the weekend is the Musnter club hurling quarter-final on Sunday with the TG4 cameras set to broadcast live the showdown between Thurles Sarsfields and Ballygunner.

And in football there are nine senior club provincial games down for decision as clubs eye progress after their county final wins.

Wednesday

Dublin SFC semi-final
St Vincent’s v Ballymun Kickhams, Parnell Park, 7.30pm

James McCarthy and Diarmuid Connolly will face off tonight.

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Thursday

Dublin SFC semi-final
St Judes v Castleknock, Parnell Park, 7.30pm

Friday

Cork senior camogie final
Milford v Inniscarra, Cork IT, 7.30pm

Saturday

Dublin SHC final
Cuala v Kilmacud Crokes, Parnell Park, 3pm

Kilmacud Crokes Ryan O’Dwyer and Cuala’s Mark Schutte

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Leinster JHC first round
St Fechin’s (Louth) v Wolfe Tones (Longford), Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda, 2pm
Rosenallis (Laois) v Maynooth (Kildare), Rosenallis, 2pm

Mayo SFC final
Castlebar Mitchels v Knockmore, Elverys MacHale Park, 7.15pm

All Ireland club finalists Castlebar Mitchels

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

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Munster JHC quarter-final
Ballyduff Lower (Waterford) v Kilgarvan (Kerry), Walsh Park, 2pm

Roscommon SHC final replay
Four Roads v Oran, Athleague, 3pm

Ulster Senior Ladies Football final
St MacCartan’s (Tyrone) v Donaghmoyne (Monaghan), Galbally, 3pm

Waterford SFC semi-final
Kilrossanty v The Nire, Fraher Field, 7.30pm

Sunday

Clare SHC final replay
Clonlara v Ballyea, Cusack Park, Ennis, 2.30pm

Leinster
SFC club first round
Baltinglass (Wicklow) v Sean O’Mahony’s (Louth), Aughrim, 2pm
Gusserane O’Rahilly’s (Wexford) v Rhode (Offaly), New Ross, 2pm
Mullinalaghta St Columba’s (Longford) v Stradbally (Laois), Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm

Stradbally’s Jody Dillon and Mullinalaghta’s James McGivney

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Intermediate Ladies Football final
Clan na Gael Fontenoy (Dublin) v Naomh Ciaran (Offaly), Kinnegad, 1pm

Kilkenny SHC final
Ballyhale Shamrocks v O’Loughlin Gaels, Nowlan Park, 3.15pm

Mayo SHC final replay
Ballyhaunis v Tooreen, Ballyhaunis, 1pm

Meath SFC final
Donaghmore-Ashbourne v Simonstown Gaels, Páirc Tailteann, Navan, 3pm

Munster Club
SFC quarter-finals
Kilmurry-Ibrickane (Clare) v Dr Crokes (Kerry), Quilty, 1pm
Monaleen (Limerick) v Carbery Rangers (Cork), Gaelic Grounds, 3pm

Martin McMahon and Kieran O’Leary are in opposition on Sunday

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

SHC quarter-final
Thurles Sarsfields (Tipperary) v Ballygunner (Waterford), Semple Stadium, 2pm

IHC quarter-final
Bandon (Cork) v Dunhill/Lismore (Waterford), Cloughduv, 2pm

IFC quarter-final
Fethard (Tipperary) v Kenmare (Cork), Clonmel Sportsfield

JHC quarter-final
St Patrick’s (Limerick) v Mayfield (Cork), Gaelic Grounds, 1pm

Tipperary SFC final
Loughmore-Castleiney v Moyle Rovers, Leahy Park, Cashel, 2.30pm

Loughmore-Castleiney player Noel McGrath

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Ulster Club
SFC quarter-finals
Killyclogher (Tyrone) v Cargin (Antrim), Healy Park, Omagh, 2.30pm
Slaughtneil (Derry) v Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh), Celtic Park, 2.30pm
Maghery (Armagh) v Ramor United (Cavan), Athletic Grounds, 2.30pm
Kilcoo (Down) v Glenswilly (Donegal), Páirc Esler, Newry, 2.30pm

Michael Murphy and Oisin Crawford celebrate Glenswilly’s Donegal county final win

Source: Kieran Murray/INPHO

IFC quarter-finals
Castledawson (Derry) v Whitecross (Armagh), Owenbeg, 2.30pm
Pomeroy (Tyrone) v Arva (Cavan), Healy Park, Omagh, 12.45pm
Aghagallon (Antrim) v Kinawley (Fermanagh), Corrigan Park, Belfast, 2.30pm
Bredagh (Down) v Donaghmoyne (Monaghan), Páirc Esler, Newry, 2.30pm

JFC quarter-finals
Blackhill (Monaghan) v Clonmore (Armagh), Clones, 2.30pm
Magilligan (Derry) v Downings (Donegal), Celtic Park, 12.45pm
Newtownbutler (Fermanagh) v Drumgath (Down), Brewster Park, Enniskillen, 1pm
Cornafean (Cavan) v Rock (Tyrone), Kingspan Breffni Park, 2.30pm

IHC quarter-final
St Brigid’s (Antrim) v Carrickmore (Tyrone), Loughgiel, 2.30pm

JHC final
Lámh Dhearg (Antrim) v Mac Cumhaills (Donegal), Owenbeg, 12.30pm

Waterford SFC semi-final
Ballinacourty v Stradbally, Fraher Field, 7pm

Westmeath SFC final
St Loman’s v Tyrrellspass, TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar, 3.30pm

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THE DECISION ON whether to take the Dublin footballers out of Croke Park for a second successive year will be decided on 16 November with seating capacity in venues set to be a key factor in making the decision.

Dublin have been drawn to play the winners of Wexford or Carlow at the Leinster quarter-final stage. The prospect of Wexford or Carlow enjoying home advantage, or a stadium like Nowlan Park being used, has not been ruled out.

Last June, Dublin face Laois at the Kilkenny venue as they played a senior football championship match away from Croke Park fro the first time since 2006.

The meeting of the CCC in Leinster on 16 November will decide the province’s championship fixtures programme for 2017.

“It hasn’t been fully decided and it won’t be until that night,” revealed Leinster Council chairman John Horan.

“If you look at the returns from the game in Nowlan Park, 11,000 people were in seats that night.

Leinster Council chairman John Horan (left) at the recent 2017 championship draws

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

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“That showed that there was a demand, but there was spare places on the terrace. So seating is in big demand and the season tickets that Dublin have is a big thing.

“Dublin have over 3,000 season tickets. Then if you think, by the time you look after the players and sponsors and whoever, how many will you have left to actually seat people?

“So the reason for Nowlan Park was seats. There was no other reason.

“It was a successful occasion (last year). I think there was a few things in it we could have tweaked.

Michael Darragh MacAuley with Dublin fans in Nowlan Park

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

“It clashed with Cat Laughs (comedy festival) and it was a Bank Holiday weekend.

“But all in all, anyone who was there said they enjoyed the atmosphere of the occasion.

“I think a lot of people felt it was fair to get them out and Dublin were the happiest of all to go down there.

“I think they viewed it as a great chance to bond, just to get their championship season on the road. Nobody in Dublin had any issue with it at any stage.”

Horan acknowledged the recent fall in gate receipts but is hopeful the arrival of high-profile managers like Davy Fitzgerald and Andy McEntee in the province will increase interest.

New Wexford hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

“Look, let’s be honest, Dublin have kind of stretched ahead of everybody and the competitive nature of the game Dublin are playing in, is not a big attraction.

“If you go back, in my three years as Leinster Chairman, we had 62,000 against Meath, the following year it was Westmeath, 48,000.

“Every body from Westmeath was there, but just they didn’t have the crowd potential to come. And then last year it dropped again.

“We got caught with the Ireland soccer match when we had our double header in Croke Park. I think we managed it well, got over 40,000.

“We changed the timing of the match and I think that went well. You have to kind of juggle circumstance.

Meath football manager Andy McEntee

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

“Hopefully Wexford get going with Davy, it causes excitement, the McEntees get Meath back on the road, those two things happen and I think it will spruce up the Leinster championship in football and hurling.”

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