February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Sean Creedon
Kilkenny star D.J. Carey broke a bone in his left foot toward the end of the first half during his team’s recent loss to Offaly in the All-Ireland hurling final. That would seem to explain Carey’s poor second-half performance.
At the time, Carey didn’t know the extent of his injury. The day after the final, he played golf with Nick Faldo at Portmarnock. When the pain persisted, he had an X-ray, which revealed the broken bone.
Meanwhile, the so-called "back door" system that enabled All-Ireland hurling champions Offaly to reach the final is likely to be continued for another two seasons.
GAA delegates will hold a special congress next month to discuss the controversial experimental rule that enabled the losing finalists in both Leinster and Munster to continue in the championship at the quarterfinal stage.
Last year, beaten Munster finalists Tipperary made it to the All-Ireland, where they lost to Clare. Offaly, of course, went one better this year, winning the Liam McCarthy Cup after previously being hammered by Kilkenny in the Leinster decider.
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Omagh benefit
A Derry City XI will play a Mick McCarthy XI at the Brandywell on Oct. 5 in aid of the Omagh fund. It is hoped that a number of former Irish internationals will play for McCarthy.
Meanwhile, no date has yet been fixed for the game between Northern Ireland and the Republic in aid of the Omagh fund. Nothing can be fixed until the Republic find a new date for their Euro 2000 qualifier against Macedonia. The game was originally fixed for Oct. 10, 1999, but Lansdowne Road is not now available on that date because of the Rugby World Cup. Their dependence on the IRFU has meant that the FAI are finally going to build their own stadium and a site in Ballymun, near Dublin Airport, is earmarked. The estimated cost of developing the ‘green field’ site is £60 million.
O’Sé to stay
Paidi O’Sé is to continue as manager of the Kerry senior footballers. After leading Kerry to three Munster final victories and one All-Ireland, it was thought that the Dingle man might step down.
"Paidi has one more year to run on his contract and while he had the option to reconsider his position, we are delighted that he is staying on," said Kerry County Board chairman Sean Walsh.
Meanwhile, Ger Loughnane has intimated that he is prepared to continue as manager of the Clare hurlers. And despite a troublesome year off the pitch, he is certain to get the backing of the Clare County Board.
U21 international for Arklow
History will be made next month when the Republic’s Under 21 game against Malta will be played in Arklow. It will be the first-ever soccer international in the Wicklow town.
Meanwhile, James Coll has been appointed player manager of Athlone town to replace Liam Buckley, who has joined St. Patrick’s Athletic.
Bad news for Shelbourne, who have got off to a poor start in the FAI National League. James Keddy, their recent signing from Derry City will be out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
RTE to debut "Match of Day"
RTE are going to compete with BBC by introducing their own "Match of the Day" program on Saturday nights. The national station will have its program starting Saturday, Sept. 26, featuring English Premiership games at 10:15 p.m. The timing is earlier than BBC and will feature RTE’s own commentators. Controversial panelist Eamon Dunphy is to return to RTE for the series after a row that saw him depart the station a few years back.
Stynes to line out for Aussies
Dublin-born Jim Stynes is included in the Australia squad for their Compromise Rules games against Ireland next month. Now we will have to wait and see if Colm O’Rourke selects Jim’s younger brother for the Irish squad.