February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Sean Creedon
It has been a long road back for Pat McEnaney. The Monaghan referee incurred the wrath of GAA supporters with his handling of the 1996 All-Ireland football final and replay between Meath and Mayo. McEnaney sent off Colm Coyle of Meath and Mayo’s Liam McHale in the replay following the now infamous melee.
Following those games McEnaney slipped down the referee rankings, later broke a leg in a club game that kept him out of action, but this season he has bounced back to charge of some major games. Last month, he was confirmed as the Irish referee for the International Rules series against Australia and now comes the seal of approval with the news that McEnaney will take charge of Sunday’s All-Ireland football final between Galway and Kerry.
Mick Loftus, the last man to take charge of a final between Kerry and Galway, in 1965, went on to become president of the GAA, so who knows what fate awaits McEnaney? Loftus sent off three players in 1965, the O’Shea brothers Derry and John "Thorny" and Galway’s John Donnellan. Donnellan son Michael will be a "thorn" in the Kerry defense on Sunday.
No spot for McDermott
There’s no place for Meath’s John McDermott or Tyrone’s Peter Canavan in the Irish squad for the International Rules Series against Australia next month. McDermott, who captained the Irish team in Australia last year, has not been able to give a commitment to training.
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Manager Brian McEniff said that Canavan’s form has not been good and he also had difficulty in getting to training sessions. Meath’s Trevor Giles will be captain and Anthony Tohill is expected to be named as vice captain.
Boylan, O’Dwyer stay put
Sean Boylan and Mick O’Dwyer, two of the best known managers in Gaelic football, are staying on their current jobs. O’Dwyer was expected to stand down following Kildare’s All-Ireland semifinal loss to Galway, but he has now agreed another two-year term in charge of The Lilywhites and Sean Boylan has been confirmed as Meath senior football manager for a record 19th consecutive season. Boylan will have at least one new selector as Frank Foley is stepping down.
Meanwhile, Eamonn Cregan is to continue as Limerick hurling manager. His selectors will be Canon Willie Fitzmaurice, Joe Grimes, Mossie Carroll and Michael Fitzgerald.
Like father, like son
Chris McGrath, son of the legendary Paul, has been included in the Republic of Ireland under 16 squad for the game against England in Walsall on Sept. 22. The 15-year-old Chris is currently training to be a professional with Liverpool. Paul never played for Ireland at underage level and was past his 25th birthday when he won the first of his 83 caps.
Sponsorship deal
The Gaelic Players Association have announced the final two players who will take part in their sponsorship deal with the Marlboro Group.
As expected Kilkenny’s D.J. Carey is included and the final player is Dublin footballer Brian Stynes.
Meanwhile, two Mayo stars of the 90’s have annouced their intercounty retirement. James Horan and Pat Fallon have told county manager Pat Holmes that they no longer have to time to dedicate to the intercounty scene.