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The second Bord na Mona Leinster GAA Series Podcast is now available including interviews with Dublin's Michael Fitzsimons looking ahead to the clash against his Alma Mater UCD, Meath's Seamus Kenny on facing local rivals Louth and Carlow's Daniel St Ledger on his sides O'Byrne Shield encounter against Laois

http://soundcloud.com/bordnamonagaa/bordnamona-leinster-gaa

Lads here is an exclusive for ye - I will have it in the papers tomorrow.

Carthy snubbed by RTE
By Coilin Duffy
Brian Carthy has been snubbed by RTE chiefs who have looked elsewhere for Commentators for their radio broadcasts of this years Allianz Division 1 Football and Hurling league finals.

The RTE Radio Gaelic Games Correspondent had been expected to commetate on the deciders, as he was seen as the natural successor to Micheal O Muircheartaigh who retired after last years International Rules Series.

Marty Morrissey will commentate on the football decider between Dublin and Cork, a repeat of last years All-Ireland SFC semi-final pairing.

Meanwhile, Carthy has once again been overlooked for the Division 1 hurling decider at Croke Park on Sunday week.

Dublin hurlers return to the final stage for the first time since 1946, where they will meet Kilkenny.

Daragh Moloney will provide commentary to RTE Radio 1 listeners on that historic encounter.

The past seven days has to be the best one for Laois Gaelic Games in an awful long time - perhaps ever. Two league final qualifications with the Ladies Footballers being Monaghan today hot on the heels of the Senior lads win over Donegal last week.

A GAA President Elect in the shape of Liam O'Neill - Congress in Laois next year and wins for the Minor Footballers and Senior hurlers - I don't recall a 100% week for blue and whites for a long time.

Easpa Gaelige = All-Ireland final coverage now won't be as extensive as RTE can't start at 12.30

TV3 PRESS RELEASE 9th November 

TV3 SECURES LIVE GAA CHAMPIONSHIP COVERAGE UNTIL 2013

- New deal will see TV3 take higher level "Package 2"

- All Ireland Quarter-Finals, Provincial Finals and top Qualifiers included

- TV3 to broadcast both Minor matches on All-Ireland Final days

TV3 today announced an upgrade to its Gaelic Games coverage over the next three years.

From next year, All-Ireland series quarter-finals will form part of TV3's annual GAA output as well as provincial finals, top level Qualifiers and the pick of the provincial fixtures.

Following a lengthy tender process, TV3 has been awarded "Pack 2", the second of five Championship Packages. This represents a higher tier of fixtures for the Irish Commercial Broadcaster than three years ago when TV3 was awarded "Pack 3", the third of five packages.

TV3 Commercial Director, Pat Kiely said "This new package delivers better fixtures for TV3 viewers and a higher proportion of the Championship fixtures available for broadcast. We developed an excellent relationship with the GAA over the last three years and we are thrilled to renew for the next three years. TV3 has been making breakthroughs in all areas of our business recently including fantastic audience growth, increased local production and further development of our multi-platform offering. We are delighted to add to this with more impetus to our GAA Championship output".

GAA PRESS RELEASE
09.11.10

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael has today announced details arising from the recent tender process for GAA media rights (Television and Radio) for 2011-2014.

In relation to television, RTÉ will broadcast 31 Championship games and TV3 will cover nine, totaling 40 GAA Championship matches to be broadcast live annually.

TV3 will also broadcast both minor All-Ireland finals.

TG4 will air Sunday Allianz League games and Setanta will have the rights to Saturday games in the same competition.

TG4 will also have the rights to broadcast club and colleges games and have also secured a new mid-week package of live Wednesday night games from the Ulster Bank Third Level Colleges Competitions and the Cadburys U21 Football Championship.

In radio, RTÉ remain the primary rights holder and for the first time Newstalk have been awarded live broadcast rights for second choice Championship games.

"We are delighted with the high interest in the broadcast rights for our games and we believe this is the correct balance between showing live games and our commitment to supporting club activity." stated Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Criostóir Ó Cuana.

He added: "We would like to thank our broadcast partners for their continued interest in bringing our games to GAA supporters and would also like to welcome Newstalk who will be GAA media partners for the first time."

The GAA will now go to tender for international rights.

Ok let's set the ball rolling! Spotted Marty doing this today in Portlaoise!
(you can vote for him in the TV Now awards apparently"!)

Check out my new weekly GAA podcast at the link including interviews from Armagh, Kerry, Galway and the Laois Minor Ladies camp following their Leinster final win on Wednesday last - http://action81.com/blog/?p=1959

Feedback welcome. It will be available on Itunes shortly also

Down Players launch Poker Classic

Poker tournament to raise funds for the Down Senior Football Team


WHAT:   Red and Black 1960 Poker Classic, in aid of Down GAA Training Fund
WHEN:   Friday, 22nd May 2010 at 7.00pm
WHERE:   Carrickdale Hotel, Co Louth


The Down Senior Football Team and Management today announced full details of the inaugural "Red and Black 1960 Poker Classic", a not for profit poker tournament to raise funds for the Down Senior Football Team training fund.

The launch of the event took place at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry as James McCartan and his players – team captain Ambrose Rogers, Benny Coulter, Danny Hughes and John Clarke – met  the media ahead of their eagerly anticipated clash with Donegal in the first round of the Ulster Championship on Sunday, 30th May.

With a first prize of 1960 pounds, the event will take place on Saturday, May 22nd in the Carrickdale Hotel.

Registration is £50 and participation is limited to 200 entrants. In addition to the tournament proper, cash game tables will accommodate players exiting the tournament early.

All funds generated from the event will be used to finance the Down Senior Football Team training fund.

Commenting, Manager James McCartan said that "We in Down would like to see our players have access to the very best preparatory resources as we seek to build on our recent National League campaign. The inaugural Red and Black 1960 Poker Classic is a creative way to assist the team directly and it offers our supporters and guests something different. I have no doubt that an evening of entertainment with a competitive edge will appeal to the wider GAA community and we may even see a few Tyrone or Armagh men at the tables."

Management of the event will be overseen by Tournament Director Lee Pritchard, Director of Casinos at CBN Gaming (www.cbngaming.com http://www.cbngaming.com) and a 25 year veteran of the land based casino industry.

Tournament Registration and further information:

Eamonn Connolly: +44 7515576140
Paul Blaney:         + 44 7885619616
Email : downtraingingfund@googlemail.com
mail to:downtraingingfund@googlemail.com

New series on RTE 2 starting next Sunday at 9pm about the whole GAA-Aussie Rules thing - anyone know who is behind this?

Cody's Cats take Féile honours         
www.laois.stoked.ie
Written by Cóilín Duffy     
Sunday, 22 June 2008 21:22 

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody lept with joy as his son Diarmuid helped James Stephen's capture their seventh Féile na nGael Under 14 hurling title at O'Moore Park, Portlaoise today following a last gasp goal from a Michael Drennan free, to ensure a 1-7 to 1-6 final win over Cork side Na Piarsaigh.

Drennan was firmly on target for the Kilkenny outfit as he scored 1-6 in this game, including the opening point of the contest. However once the Cork side got in front they weren't to be led until that injury time goal broke Na Piarsaigh hearts.

James Stephens' only other point in this game came from the stick of corner-back Diarmuid Cody, who ensured that just two points separated the sides as the game approached injury-time. Despite Drennan blasting a free wide of the posts, he had a second chance to make amends which he subsequently did as he ensured a first title since 2003 for the Kilkenny city side.

There were plenty of links with past Kilkenny winning sides as Sean Mulholland, grandson of Fan Larkin and nephew of Philly Larkin, was a member of the victorious side.

In the Division 1 camogie final Lucan Sarsfields of Dublin gave an excellent display to take their first Féile title and a first victory for a team from the captial since 2003 following their 2-3 to 1-2 victory over Mullagh of Galway.

Goals win games and the Lucan girls bagged two with Sarah Courtney and Alison Twomey netting majors. An Orla Hobbins goal and two points from Rachel Monaghan kept Mullagh in touch, but Lucan weren't to be denied.

This was a special victory for Lucan, who had only captured their first Dublin title in this grade last May.

Antrim's St. John's firmly put behind them last year's All-Ireland Féile na nGael defeat to Castletown Geoghegan of Westmeath by capturing the Division 2 title at O'Moore Park on a 2-9 to 1-1 score-line over Portlaoise.

John's convincing 2-13 to 0-2 semi-final win over Celbridge put into perspective how serious the Beechmount side were about taking the Canon Fogarty Trophy, after last year's disappointment.

Portlaoise had only scraped over Derry side Slaughtneil by 1-8 to 0-3 in their semi-final, which placed St. John's as favourites.
John's certainly dug deep to give a team display in which the scores were evenly spread among five players. Ciaran and Conor Kerr along with Michael Bradley all scored three points each while the goals were well taken scores with Michael Dudley and Ciaran McKenna on target.

In contrast Sean Culliton was Portlaoise's lone scorer with 1-1, his point coming from a free.

This victory ensures a fifth Division 2 Féile na nGael title for an Antrim club, in the 38 year history of the competition, and a second for St. John's in three years, following their first ever triumph in 2006 over Blarney of Cork.
Meanwhile Donegal side Setanta claimed their first ever Division 5 title, thanks to a 1-3 to 0-4 win over St. Oliver Plunkett's of Mullingar in the decider.

However despite just two team title wins for the North, they featured strongly in the Christy Ring/Nicky Rackard Hurling Skill-star competition, which was won by Tamar Douban from Na Magha in Derry with a score of 180 points, while Portaferry's Sean Mageean came third following an impressive score of 165.

In Camogie there was strong Ulster representation in Division 2, with Michael Davitt's of Swatragh in Derry going on to take honours, following a 7-3 to 0-1 win over Lismore of Waterford, home club of Dan Shanahan.
The Swatragh girls were certainly impressive throughout the competition and accounted for Antrim's Loughgiel Shamrocks by 5-8 to 1-2 at the semi-final stage. Managed by Sarah A Quinn and her sister Patsy, they kept up the goalscoring momentum into the final, where Lismore simply couldn't cope with their fire and strike-rate.

The Camogie skill-star title came very close to coming to Ulster, as Antrim's Orlagh O'Hara came 2nd after scoring 166 points just behind winner Vera Loughnane of Clare who scored 180 points.
Meanwhile in Handball some success did come for northern sides with St. Patrick's from Cavan taking the Boys Division 4 40 X 20 title thanks to a 21-14, 21-1 final win over Wicklow side Coolboy.  Meanwhile in the Girls Division 2 40 X 20 Kingscourt accounted for Kilkenny side Kells 21-6, 8-21, 11-4.

Five Laois teams through to Féile Finals
By Cóilín Duffy
www.laois.stoked.ie

There is great news for Laois teams in the Féile na nGael competition this evening, as five clubs from the O'Moore County have reached the Finals. The Harps, St. Paul's, Portlaoise and Clonad are all represented in Sunday's deciders, which take place in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise and Páirc Uí Fhaolain at Portlaoise GAA Club.

The Harps GAA Club are in action on the double with both Camogie and Hurling teams in action tomorrow evening, while Portlaoise 1 and St. Pauls (Courtwood/Emo) are through to hurling deciders.

Meanwhile Clonad are also through to the Camogie Division 4 Final where they take on a Kerry Development squad side. Semi-Final results and Final fixtures are below.

Coca-Cola Féile na nGael Hurling Semi-Final Results
Division 1
Na Piarsaigh (Cork) 3-5 Emeralds (Kilkenny) 1-7
James Stephens (Kilkenny) 3-13 Patrickswell (Limerick) 2-1

Division 2
Portlaoise (Laois) 1-8 Slaughtneil (Derry) 0-3
St. John's (Antrim) 2-13 Celbridge (Kildare) 0-2

Division 3
The Harps (Laois) 2-14 Ballinteer St. Johns (Dublin) 0-3
Kinnity (Offaly) 2-9 Naomh Eamann (Laois) 26

Division 4
Fenians (Kilkenny) 3-5 Ballyfin Gaels (Laois) 2-3
Keady (Armagh) 1-6 Ballinascreen (Derry) 0-0

Division 5
Setanta (Donegal) 4-8 Clontibret (Monaghan) 0-1
St. Oliver Plunkett's (Westmeath) 3-2 Mountrath (Laois) 2-4

Division 6
St. Pauls (Laois) 3-5 Ballinamere/Durrow (Offaly) 1-3
Coolera/Strandhill (Sligo) 2-12 London 1-1

Coca-Cola Féile na nGael Hurling Quarter-Final Result
Division 2
Slaughtneil (Derry) 2-3 Lucan Sarsfields (Dublin) 0-7

Coca-Cola Féile na nGael Camogie Semi-Final Results
Division 1
Lucan Sarsfields (Dublin) 2-6 Burgess (Tipperary) 1-2
Mullagh (Galway) 5-3 Douglas (Cork) 2-5

Division 2
Michael Davitts (Derry) 5-8 Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim) 1-2
Lismore (Waterford) 5-0 Croagh Kilfinny (Limerick) 2-5

Division 3
The Harps (Laois) 0-7 Lough Lene Gaels (Westmeath) 1-2
Ratoath (Meath) 2-4 Four Roads (Roscommon) 1-0 (AET)

Division 4
Kerry 4-3 Na Brideoga (Mayo) 0-2
Clonad 0-4 Lusmagh 0-0

Coca-Cola Féile na nGael Handball Skills Results
Boys
Division 1  40 x 20

Winner:                Colin Crehan (Kilkshen)

Runner-Up:        Patrick Herlihy (Mallow)

Division 2  40 x 20

Winner:       Michael Lawlor (Maigh Cuilinn)

Runner-Up:          Ruadhan O'Berra (Indreabhan)

Division 3  40 x 20

Winner:                Robert Maguire (Leixlip)

Runner-Up:        Cian O'Dalaigh (Na Fianna)

Division 4  40 x 20

Winner:                Wayne Kinsella (Coolboy)           

Runner-Up:        David Mulhall (Monavea)

Division 1  60 x 30

Winner:                Daniel O'Leary (Garryhill)

Runner-Up:        Richard Martin (Bridgetown)

Division 2  60 x 30

Winner:                Alan Funchion (Kells)

Runner-Up:        Craig Wright (Bridgetown)

Girls
Division 1  40 x 20

Winner:                Ciana Ni Churraoin (Indreabhan)

Runner-Up:        Ciara Mahon (Clogh)

Division 2  40 x 20

Winner:                Aoife Landers (Friary/Abbeyside)           

Runner-Up:        Emma Gargan (Kingscourt)

Division 3  40 x 20

Winner:                Lauren Barcoe (Goresbridge)

Runner-Up:        Eleanor Buggy (Na Fianna)



Coca-Cola Féile na nGael Final Fixtures
Division 1 Hurling Final
Na Piarsaigh (Cork) v James Stephens (Kilkenny) 3pm, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Division 2 Hurling Final
Portlaoise (Laois) v St. John's (Antrim) 2pm, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Division 3 Hurling Final
The Harps (Laois) v Kinnity (Offaly) 11am, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Division 4 Hurling Final
Keady (Armagh) v Fenians (Kilkenny) 10am, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Division 5 Hurling Final
Setanta (Donegal) v St. Oliver Plunkett's (Westmeath) 1.30pm, Portlaoise GAA Club

Division 6 Hurling Final
St. Pauls (Laois) v Coolera/Strandhill (Sligo) 12.30pm, Portlaoise GAA Club

Division 1 Camogie Final
Lucan Sarsfields (Dublin) v Mullagh (Galway) 1pm, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Division 2 Camogie Final
Michael Davitts (Derry) v Lismore (Waterford) 12noon, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Division 3 Camogie Final
The Harps (Laois) v Ratoath (Meath) 11.30am, Portlaoise GAA Club

Division 4 Camogie Final
Clonad (Laois) v Kerry 10.30am, Portlaoise GAA Club

I see all the GAA.ie websites are down! Apparently the server is under maintenance. Not much good with the Féile na nGael site on these servers and the competition on this weekend in Laois/Offaly!

Qualifier Draws

The GAA confirms that the First Round All- Ireland Football Championship Qualifier (and Preliminary Round, if necessary) and Third Round All-Ireland Hurling Championship Qualifier Draws will take place on Sunday, June 29th. The draws will be held "live" on TV3 at 6 pm.


Should be interesting given the strength of the first round teams and the fact that it's the first qualifier draw not on RTÉ

Great start to the competition last night with a humbdinger of a quarter-final in Portlaoise between Laois and Dublin - report below. Pity about the final result but fair play to the lads for restoring some pride in Laois hurling again. Any of the Carlow/Offaly boys at yer game in DCP?

Leinster Under 21 Hurling Championship Quarter-Final
Dublin 0-18
Laois 1-12
By Cóilín Duffy

Dublin advanced to a home semi-final meeting with Kilkenny on June 18th, thanks to a hard fought win over Laois in O'Moore Park, Portlaoise last night.
The sides were level on eight occasions during the game, and it was only a late scoring flourish by Dublin at the finish, which ensured that last years beaten All-Ireland finalists are still involved in the 2008 Championship.
Despite having eight of last year's All-Ireland final starting 15, Dublin were firmly put to the pin of their collar by a youthful Laois side
There was very little to separate the sides during a keenly contested opening quarter, with the teams level on three occasions before Shane Durkin put the visitors in front at 0-5 to 0-4 after 15 minutes.
But Laois performed strongly and with Zane Keenan an inspirational figure as the Camross man took a brace of points in quick succession, the hosts took the lead for the first time after 19 minutes at 0-6 to 0-5.
Keenan had his match in Dublin free-taker Kevin O'Reilly who converted with ease, as Tom Fitzpatrick's charges regained the lead and thanks also to a well struck point from centre-half forward Declan O'Dwyer, held a 0-9 to 0-7 lead at the break.
Laois may have arrived late onto the field for the second half, but this failed to unsettle the visitors who opened the second half scoring with corner-forward Ross O'Carroll giving his side a four point lead in four minutes, thanks to two excellent scores.

A Simon Lambert point ensured Dublin broke five points clear by the 41st minute, but Laois weren't to give up as a 41st minute John Gaughan goal saw them within two points of Dublin once more.
The Castletown man rounded Peter Callaghan, left the injured Dublin defender in his wake and from 30 metres out blasted the ball to the back of the Dublin net.
Dublin weren't out of the water yet as points from Keenan and defender Daryl Dooley levelled the contest for the sixth time, with 13 minutes remaining.

However Dublin finished strongly as a point from O'Carroll and an O'Reilly brace ensured the visitors held out for victory.
DUBLIN: F McGarry; P Schutte, P Callaghan, R Drumgoole; P Kelly, T Brady, J McCaffrey; J Boland (0-1), S Lambert (0-1); S Durkin (0-1), D O'Dwyer (0-1), P Ryan; R O'Carroll (0-4), K O'Reilly (0-9, 5f, 2  65, 1 sl), J Maher (0-1). Subs: B O'Rorke for Maher (37); O Gough for Callaghan (43); P Garbutt for Durkin (51); S O'Rorke for Lambert (59).

LAOIS: P Carroll; J Prior, D Maher, A Kavanagh; D Dooley (0-1), T Burke, B Stapleton; C Delaney, M Bermingham; Z Keenan (0-9, 6f, 1 65), J Gaughan (1-0), W Hyland (0-1); S Burke, D Peacock (0-1), D O'Mahoney. Subs: N Delaney for O'Mahoney (43); R Delaney for N Delaney (45); N Delaney for R Delaney (60).

REFEREE: Alan Lagrue (Kildare)

GAA Press Release

23 May 2008






GAA Press Release
International Rules Tour


As previously announced today was the final date acceptable to the GAA in terms of the AFL confirming arrangements for two International Rules Test games between Australia and Ireland in October next.  The AFL stated however that they are close to finalising venues and logistics for both Tests but require a few more days to confirm arrangements.  The GAA has agreed to accede to the AFL request for a little more time and is hopeful that the Series will resume in October and that relevant details can be announced by next Thursday.

No show by Justin at GAA Press Conference
22nd May 2008

By Cóilín Duffy

Both Waterford's Justin McCarthy and Clare boss Mike McNamara failed to speak to the media this afternoon at a press-conference organised by GAA to promote the clash of the Deise and the Banner in the Munster Senior Football Championship on June 1st.

While McNamara turned up for the event at the Horse and Jockey Hotel in Tipperary, he declined to take part in the event following the no-show of Waterford manager McCarthy.

McCarthy stated that he didn't attend the function because of inadequate notice about the event. It is understood that he was only informed about the function by Waterford County Board officials late last night.

Mike McNamara attended the function in the company of Wolfe Tones na Sionna midfielder and current Clare captain Brian O'Connell. However both McNamara and O'Connell made a quick exit, after being informed that Clare full-forward Barry Nugent and goalkeeper Philip Brennan were at the event.

Both McNamara and O'Connell failed to speak to the press, with Waterford's Stephen Molumphy and Clinton Hennessey both present also.

GAA spokesman Pat Doherty stated that in the interest of having a balanced press conference, it would have been unfair to have three Clare players and their manager participating, while there were only two Waterford players in attendance at the event.

'Michael did not take part because Justin was not there and he felt that since there was two Waterford players there that the event should be evened up,' explained GAA spokesman Pat Doherty.

Croke Park officials organised the event in conjunction with the respective county boards and a sport marketing company based in Kildare town.

It's just been announced that Jonathan Mullin has been appointed as RTÉ's new TV GAA Correspondant - a new role in RTÉ

Congrats to Jonathan - must deserved. This guy has a good flair for GAA and he'll bring a huge enthusiasm to the new role. Already he has been showing this in his GAA coverage to date with RTE News, and prior to that in the inception of the Irish Daily Mail and the Athlone Voice. The level of GAA coverage has gone down considerably in the Daily Mail since Jonathan left in 2006.

He'd be a good grassroots man - well connected in GAA circles and would have the Women's game to heart as much as the mens.

Can only be good for the GAA and RTÉ in the future, that a man of his calibre has secured this position.

Maith thú Jonathan sa phost nua.

PRESS RELEASE
Jonathan Mullin named as GAA Correspondent
Monday, 28 April 2008 21:51
RTÉ News has announced the appointment of its first appointment of Gaelic Games Correspondent, Jonathan Mullin.

A journalist with the RTÉ News Sports Unit, he qualified from NUI, Galway with a Higher Diploma in Applied Communications and as an Honours graduate of Corporate Law.


Jonathan, born in 1978, joined the RTÉ News Sports Unit as a journalist in October 2006. In the past year he has filed television sports reports from sporting venues all over Ireland, in Rome and from the recent Cheltenham Racing Festival.


Jonathan was part of the start-up team for the Irish Daily Mail as its Deputy Sports Editor and was Sports Editor of the Athlone Voice from its inception in September 2003 until 2006. Prior to that, he worked as Sports sub-editor with the Evening Echo in Cork.


In 2004, Jonathan was awarded the ESB National Media Award in the Provincial/Regional Sport Print category for coverage of Westmeath's first ever Leinster title victory that summer.


Jonathan has a keen interest in sport and has represented his county in both Gaelic football and soccer.


He won a Connacht minor medal with Mayo in 1996, and was also coach and joint-manager of the Mayo Ladies Football team for four years, from 1998 to 2001.


During that time they won two All-Ireland senior titles (including the county's first in 1999) and a National League title.

The meeting of the anti-grants people has just begun in the Cavan Crystal Hotel and I have to say it's very disappointing. Scarcely 100 people in attendance

ULSTER BANK FITZGIBBON CUP 2008
ALL MATCHES AT 2.00P.M. UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED - [E.T. if necessary]
Round Robin – 12 teams-4 seeded teams (3 division 1 group winners plus hosts U.C.D., U.C.C, U.L, C.I.T.)+ 8 non seeded (St. Pats, DIT, UUJ, LIT, NUIG, GMIT, WIT, Gardai)
4 groups of 3 teams top two in each group qualify for quarter finals.
A Group A – U.L. (Seeded), Waterford I.T., Limerick I.T.
B Group B – Cork I.T (Seeded)., N.U.I. Galway, D.I.T.
C Group C – U.C.C. (Seeded), Garda College, G.M.I.T.
D Group D – U.C.D. (Seeded), U.U.J., St. Patrick's College/Mater Dei
Round 1 - Wednesday, 30th January 2008
Round 2 - Wednesday, 6th February 2008
Round 3 - Thursday, 14th February 2008

Quarter – Finals by 20.02.08 Group Winners at home   
K Winner A Vs Runner Up B
L Winner C Vs Runner Up D
M Winner D Vs  Runner Up A
N Winner B Vs  Runner Up C
29.02.08 - Semi-Finals
O K Vs L
P M Vs N
Cork I.T.
Final – 01.03.08 (Sat) –
      O Vs P
Cork I.T.
ULSTER BANK RYAN CUP 2008
ALL MATCHES AT 2.00P.M. UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED - [E.T. if necessary]

Round Robin – 12 teams-4 seeded teams (division 2 Semi finalists AIT, NUIM, TIPP INST/ST. PATS, SLIGO I.T.)+ 8 non seeded (QUB, DCU, TALLAGHT IT, CARLOW IT, MICL, TCD, TRALEE IT, CCFE)
4 groups of 3 teams top two in each group qualify for quarter finals.
A Group A – Tipperary Institute/St. Pat's (Seeded), Mary Immaculate College, Queen's University.
B Group B – IT Sligo (Seeded), Carlow IT, DCU.
C Group C – Athlone IT (Seeded), Cork Colleges of Further Education, IT Tallaght.
D Group D – NUI Maynooth (Seeded), Trinity College Dublin, IT Tralee.
Round 1 - Wednesday, 30th January 2008
Round 2 - Wednesday, 6th February 2008
Round 3 - Thursday, 14th February 2008

Quarter – Finals by 20.02.08 Group Winners at home   
K Winner A Vs Runner Up B
L Winner C Vs Runner Up D
M Winner D Vs  Runner Up A
N Winner B Vs  Runner Up C
29.02.08 - Semi-Finals
O K Vs L
P M Vs N
Cork I.T.
Final – 01.03.08 (Sat) –
      O Vs P
Cork I.T.



ULSTER BANK FERGAL MAHER CUP 2008
ALL MATCHES AT 2.00P.M. UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED - [E.T. if necessary]
Round 1: 12.02.08 - 10 teams (GMIT CASTLEBAR, LETTERKENNY IT, UUJ/MAGEE, GARNEVILLE GAELS, ST MARYS or GMIT L'FRACK, DUNDALK IT, NCI ,KINGS INNS, MARINO, DLIADT)
A   Losing team Letterfrack/St. Mary's v Dundalk IT
B   UUC/Magee v NCI
C   Marino v Letterkenny IT
D   King's Inn's v DLIADT
E   GMIT Castlebar v Garnerville Gaels
Qtr-Finals: 20.02.08 (Open Draw) – 5 winners on Round 1 + (ST MARYS or GMIT Letterfrack)
F   Winner A v Winner E
G   Winner D v Winner Letterfrack v St. Mary's
H    Winner C v Winner B

Semi-Finals: 29.02.08 -3 Qtr-Final winners + British Champions
F Vs G
H Vs BRITISH CHAMPIONS (Napier University)

Final: 01.03.08 (Sat)

TV3 has become the first Commercial free to air television station to gain a slice of the lucrative GAA Championships coverage with the news that the station will show Qualifiers and selected provincial semi-finals live next year.

The deal which has been negotiated with the GAA for a three year period offers a package of live and exclusive GAA action including provincial finals, provincial semi-finals and three football championship qualifiers.

The GAA are currently in negotiations with a number of different parties in relation to TV rights but TV3 are the only successful bidders in the first round of the process.

These rights cover the next three All-Ireland Championship seasons from 2008 to 2010 inclusive.

Commenting on today's announcement, Pat Kiely, TV3's Commercial Director said:  "We are delighted that the GAA has chosen TV3 as a partner broadcaster.  As Ireland's number one sport with unique Irish identity and heritage, live GAA coverage was a primary target for TV3.   

"Off the back of our success with the Rugby World Cup, we really look forward to working closely with the GAA to offer a fresh view on our national game for fans, old and new."

Well since noone has picked up on this yet. Mugsy was  cleared to play by the CHC last night in Tyrone's Ulster SFC clash with Fermanagh on May 20th.

Any views from the Mayo fans on the sliding tackle concerned, did Mulligan deserve to get off?

Was outside the meeting - here's my piece if ye are interested in a read!

Mulligan available for Ulster Championship Opener
By Cóilín Duffy
From Croke Park

Tyrone forward Owen Mulligan has had the red card which he received for a 'sliding tackle' against Mayo in the NFL on April 8th rescinded meaning that the Cookstown man is now free to play for the Red Hand County against Fermanagh in the Ulster SFC on May 20th.

Mulligan appeared before the GAA's Central Hearings Committee last night at Croke Park and in a hearing which lasted just eight minutes the Tyrone attacker was cleared of all wrongdoing for what a GAA source described as a 'lazy tackle'.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte and County Board secretary Dominic McGaughey accompanied Mulligan to the meeting at GAA Headquarters.

Harte was understandably delighted with the outcome.

"It's great news and it's great that a system is in place that if someone is sent off and it is deemed not to be accurate. If  people later can make a different call on it, I think that's great and I'm delighted that the result has gone that way," Harte stated as he emerged from the meeting.

Meanwhile former All-Ireland winning Captain DJ Kane wasn't so lucky at last night's meeting.

The current Down selector was reprimanded for his involvement in pitch incursions during his county's NFL game against Galway on April 8th.