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Irish Sports Desk Monaghan’s McCague is in line for top GAA post

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

By Sean Creedon

One of the main jobs of this year’s GAA Congress, which will be held in Dublin next weekend, is to decide on a president-elect. And for the first time proportional representation will be used by GAA delegates.

Monaghan’s Sean McCague is hot favorite to take over from Joe McDonagh next year. McCague, who was beaten by 214 votes to 103 by McDonagh in 1996, has only two opponents, former Leinster chairman Albert Fallon and Munster Council chairman Noel Walsh.

The first time that the GAA chose a president-elect 12 months in advance was in 1978, when Paddy McFlynn (Down) was elected. Since then, five of the last six presidents were elected after finishing as runner-up in the previous election — Mick Loftus (`84), John Dowling (`87), Peter Quinn (`90), Jack Boothman (`93) and McDonagh (`96). The one exception was Paddy Buggy, who was elected at the first attempt in `81. So it’s looking good for McCague.

Meanwhile, Rule 21 which bans RUC members is unlikely to get an airing this year, after a special Congress last year failed to lift the ban. But we may get an update on the idea of paying players for commercial endorsements. One county star who backs the idea of endorsements is Kilkennny hurler D.J. Carey.

"It must be all out in the open and not confused with the pay-for-play issue," Carey said. "Once that aspect of the amateur ethos is preserved, I see no problems taking money for endorsements."

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Carey says he would like to see every county appoint its own agent to work on behalf of the players.

St. Pat’s vs. Cork

The outcome of this season’s FAI National League Premier Division title could be decided at Richmond Park, Inchicore, on Friday. St. Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City are neck and neck at the top of the table all season and the winner on Friday night should go on to take the title. St. Pats have already beaten Cork at Inchicore and at Turner’s Cross this season and if they can make it a hat trick of wins, they will surely deserve to win the championship.

After Friday night there are just two League games to be played.

2 winners for Dunwoody

Irish-born jockey Richard Dunwoody didn’t have a ride in this year’s Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. The 35-year-old jockey opted instead for the less glamorous Wincanton course in England, where he picked up two winners to break Peter Scudamore’s all-time British jump jockey record of 1,678 winners.

Sonia aims for October return

Sonia O’Sullivan, who is due to give birth to her first child this summer, hopes to be back in competitive action in October. Last week, O’Sullivan confirmed that she will defend her Great North Run title in Newcastle on Oct. 10. She is now back living in London after a spell in Australia and is doing some light running every day.

Reynolds for Leitrim

Former under 21 manager Joe Reynolds is the new Leitrim senior football manager. He takes over from Fermanagh-born Peter McGinnity, who quit after the recent League loss to Offaly. Reynolds, who was a selector when Leitrim won the Connacht title in 1994, is the county’s first native manager in 10 years. The last three Leitrim managers have all been from outside the county.

GAA player jailed

The GAA has in the past been slow to severely punish players and officials who throw a punch at an opponent during a game. In recent months the Association has made progress in this regard, but in Galway last week 21-year-old John Joe Greaney from the Caherlistrane club was jailed for nine months for injuring a player from the Kilkerrin-Clonberne during a club game last June. Greaney had to resort to the courts as he could not get any satisfaction from the GAA.

Browne back with Waterford

Good news for Waterford with the return of Tony Browne to full training. Browne had missed the last few League games, following a disagreement with the team management.

But bad news for Limerick manager Eamon Cregan, who looks like he will have to do without the versatile Gary Kirby for their Munster championship meeting with Waterford next month. Kirby picked up an injury in training and has been advised by his doctor to take a complete rest from hurling for four weeks.

Also, Mike Hassett, who has only recently returned to the Kerry panel after being dropped for the 1997 All-Ireland Final, will be out of the Kerry side for the next few weeks. Hassett had his jaw broken in a recent club against Kerins O’Rahillys.

Foreman KOs Limerick

Former world boxing champion George Foreman recently visited Limerick and donated $60,000 to worthy causes in the city. Foreman, who is a friend of Fr. Joe Young, made the donations to Fr. Young’s Soccer Academy, Southill Boxing Club and the Southside Marching Band.

Doherty struggling

These are bad days for former Snooker World champion Ken Doherty. After an early exit in the Irish Open Masters in Goffs, the Dubliner is also out of the British Open in Plymouth.

Carruth in Dublin bout

Olympic champion Michael Carruth will have his first-ever pofessional fight at Dublin’s National Stadium on Saturday, April 17, when he meets England’s Chris Saunders.

Carruth will be making his first appearance at the South Circular Road venue in six years. It will be his second time to box Saunders, whom he beat in Mansfield in 1996.

The show, which will also feature another Dubliner Jim Rock, is being promoted by Meathman Brian Peters.

Barrett Bros. win

The Barrett brothers Dermot and Brian from the Olympic club in Galway did their brother Francie’s reputation no harm when lifting titles in the National Boys’ championships Finals at the National Stadium,

Dublin last week. Dermot took the light welter title and Brian stopped his opponent in the 71 kilos category. Francie will meet Seanie Barrett, no relation, in the refixed National Senior light welterweight final at the Stadium on April 30.

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