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Irish News

Gaelic Games 
By Paddy Heaney 


Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy has hinted that Tyrone could face disciplinary action if they refuse to comply with the rules of the Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup.

Under the rules of the competition, university teams are given first preference on players who are also eligible for county squads.

But Tyrone boss Mickey Harte is currently on a collision course with the provincial council. He has named Colm Cavanagh, Damian McCaul and Brendan Boggs in his McKenna Cup squad, even though they are wanted by UUJ as well.

Murphy has indicated that Tyrone could face some type of censure if these three players aren't released to their university.

"I don't want to speculate on what type of action could be taken. But competition regulations are there for people to comply with.

"The rules regarding students are part of the game regulations, so if someone doesn't comply with them, we will certainly have to have a look at it.

"Competitions rules are enforceable in just the same way as the rules of the official guide book,'' warned Murphy.

Tyrone are due to begin the defence of their McKenna Cup title on Sunday against Queen's in Omagh. Jordanstown will have their first outing on the same day against Donegal in Ballyshannon. UUJ boss Adrian McGuckin has all but resigned himself to the fact that he will be without Boggs, Cavanagh and McCaul.

"We were told to name 30 players for a panel before Christmas. We were led to believe that the county teams couldn't pick those players.

"When I went up to Jordanstown today, I learned that three of them had been picked for Tyrone. There is not a lot we can do about that.

"We can't control who the players want to play for. I can only assume that they will decide to play for Tyrone, but maybe that won't be the case,'' said McGuckin.

Irish News

AGAINST THE BREEZE 
by Paddy Heaney 

On May 15, this column predicted with its usual air of absolute certainty that Tyrone would fail to retain their All-Ireland crown.

As Tyrone's injuries mounted up, many people came to share this view, but not many columnists or pundits were writing them off with the same conviction as yours truly.

I'm not seeking any great credit for this great prophecy. Regular readers (if there are any) of my previews will be well aware that I can get it wrong the odd time as well.

But on that occasion I was pretty much on the money. My rationale for dismissing Tyrone's chances centred on the double loss of Peter Canavan (retired) and Brian McGuigan (injured)

I believe Tyrone could have defended their title without the peerless Canavan, but any hopes they had of back-to-back successes disappeared during a Tyrone league game in Ardboe on Sunday April 30 when McGuigan broke his leg in two places.

On learning about McGuigan's ordeal, my initial reaction was one of heartfelt sympathy. I've met Brian a few times and he's an immensely likeable character. Unlike many players, who can be fairly dour creatures, McGuigan likes a bit of chat and, it's fair to say, a bit of mischief. He's lives life with a twinkle in his eye, and the lives of those around him are the richer for it.

My second thought regarding the news of his injury was that Tyrone were finished because McGuigan is irreplaceable. While no county side exemplifies the team ethos better than Tyrone, they remain heavily reliant on some key individuals.

McGuigan is one such talent.

He is the creative pulse of the team. He links, he prompts, he unlocks, he directs - he helps turns possession into scores. He is the vital cog in their offensive gameplan. He can also score, evidenced by his three points against Kerry in last year's All-Ireland final.

Tyrone wouldn't have won either of their two All-Ireland crowns without Brian McGuigan and there's a fair chance they'll not win any more in the short term future without him either.

Of course, this is no major revelation.

Many people from inside and outside Tyrone are well aware of McGuigan's credentials as the best centre half-forward in the country. Most of us would have assumed that the O'Neill county would have been doing everything in their power to ensure that all their star player's needs would be met during his period of recuperation.

However, it appears this would be a very mistaken assumption indeed.

A column by Eugene McGee in yesterday's Irish Independent has set alarm bells ringing about the lack of financial support McGuigan has received since April 30.

Following his injury, McGuigan spent 15 weeks with his damaged leg in a cage.

He was on crutches and had to endure intensive physiotherapy and other remedial treatments.

A joiner by trade, the 26-year-old was unable to work while he was on crutches.

No surprises there.

But what will shock people is that McGuigan had to wait for over six months before getting a penny in compensation from anyone connected with the GAA.

McGee noted that the Ardboe man "was forced too return to work much sooner than his recuperation from the serious injuries justified simply because the man had no income and needed to earn some money".

The article also stated that McGuigan has yet to receive his insurance money and has received only medical expenses from the Tyrone County Board.

It's not my intention to start damning the Tyrone County Board for their handling of this unfortunate situation.

A more effective method is to compare McGuigan's experience to that of John Toal from Armagh.

Toal sustained a horrific leg injury during last year's drawn Ulster final against Tyrone.

The damage Toal endured was so serious that he has not yet fully recovered, and there remains a possibility that his inter-county career is over.

However, Toal has already defied medical opinion by being fit to run and play club games.

The player himself would readily testify that his incredible recovery has been assisted by the superb support he has received from the Armagh County Board.

When contacted yesterday, Toal was happy to outline the extent of this help in order to illustrate his gratitude for everything he has received.

The Keady man revealed that Armagh County Board paid for his operation, which was done privately.

Furthermore, Toal didn't have to wait for his insurance money.

The county board paid for his wages in full during the eight months he was unable to work as quantity surveyor.

The board also picked up the tab for the three trips he took to see specialists at Lilleshall in England.

When Toal's insurance cheque finally arrived, the sum of money didn't cover what the county board had already paid out to him.

"Between the wages, the week in hospital and the operation there was a big shortfall," said Toal.

He then added: "Again, the county board took it on the chin, there was no hassle whatsoever."

Toal's appreciation is abundantly clear.

Because the Armagh County Board looked after his financial concerns, he was able to concentrate on his rehabilitation without worrying about bills and putting bread on the table.

Brian McGuigan clearly hasn't enjoyed the same degree of support as John Toal.

It could be argued that, unlike Toal, McGuigan's injury took place in a club game and therefore the county board isn't entirely responsible.

This argument doesn't hold up to much scrutiny.

McGuigan was a Tyrone footballer when he broke his leg, and Tyrone will no doubt be seeking his services if he recovers from this injury.

In between times, he remains a Tyrone footballer and it's the county board's prerogative to facilitate his recovery in any way that it can.

Brian McGuigan provided a first class service for Tyrone when he was on the pitch.

He now deserves that standard of service to be reciprocated while he's on the sidelines.