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Correct, was originally set for Parnell Park but I think the weather has out pay to that, pitch was in a bad enough way last weekend.

I taut you were in the seated stand. 

I was hoping to head up to Dublin for both matches but I think I'll have to work now, as my avatar would say, DOH!

Well said yer holiness! move on, i'm sure the players have.

I know Dublin is well outside the traditional home of hurling and it's far removed from the number one sport in the city [soccer] but the game is in fairly rude health in Dublin at the moment, there's more clubs taking it seriously then ever before, with an interesting power shift happening over the last few years where the southside clubs have been dominating at underage. if we could only get the senior team competitive at the top level I could see an massive growth of interest in the sport in the city. Are there other counties that are well off that map that the game is developing nicely? I know it's growing well in Mayo but from a very small base, Roscommon has gone from 3 to 7 clubs which dosent seem massive growth considering it's over 50 years but it's better then nothing, here's hoping the GAA can accelerate the growth with the use of full time GPOs around the country. In Dublin the 45 full time GPOs have been increasing the numbers attending club nurseries by 20% year on year, That's also an extra 20% parents getting involved etc.

I'd like to see a report by Paudie Butler as to how his progress is going, he seems to be coaching up and down the country constantly but i'd like to hear about the structures he's putting in place, I hope he's not trying to do everything   

[Haughey calls for hurling help]

How many hurling clubs are there in Roscommon now?

Haughey calls for hurling help

One of the longest serving hurling officials in the history of the GAA has called on Croke Park's top brass to do more for the sport in the weaker counties.

Johnny Haughey, who has stepped down 55 years after being appointed Roscommon Hurling Board secretary, said that more must be done to promote hurling in the weaker counties. The Athleague clubman said that a genuine effort had been made to make hurling more appealing.

"But more needs to be done. The top level of the GAA has played its part, but there is always more they can do. It is not an easy task, we know that here in Roscommon but hurling needs to be spread more," said Haughey, who took over in Roscommon in 1952 when there were just three hurling clubs in the county.

Looked like an accident to me as well.

[Four changes for OByrne Cup semi-final]

Four changes for OByrne Cup semi-final

Dublin have made four changes to their team for Saturday's O'Byrne Cup semi-final in Parnell Park (5.0).

Shane Ryan is ruled out having picked up a hamstring injury in last Saturday's ten-point victory over WestM**th and is replaced at midfield by Paul Flynn, who moves out from corner-forward. 2008 team captain, Alan Brogan, comes in a No 15.

In the other switches Stephen Cluxton takes over again in goal from John Leonard while Philip McMahon replaces Derek Murray at right half-back.

McMahon was selected to start in last Saturday's game but as he had played for Ballymun Kickhams' under-21s in Championship action earlier that afternoon he was 'rested'.

The final alteration sees Round Towers, Clondalkin's John O'Brien lead the attack with Pat Burke being displaced to the bench.

DUBLIN (SF) - S Cluxton; N O'Shea, R McConnell, S O'Shaughnessy; P McMahon, C Moran, P Brogan; P Flynn, E Fennell; D Lally, J O'Brien, B Brogan; J Sherlock, D O'Mahony, A Brogan. Subs: J Leonard, P Casey, D Henry, D Murray, B Cullen, D Ryan, B Kennedy, P Burke.

Still a decent effort, good to see the indo recognize the importance of the colleges competitions. Previously to this only rugby got this sort of attention.

 

A little from column A, A little from column B

A fair few Dublin players available to UCD, should be an interesting match up.

Have to give special mention to Jayo, he was top class on Saturday, great to see a player who's been around for so long show such enthusiasm for an O'Byrne cup match played in filthy conditions.

Waste of money - this attitude of , 'sure we have the money, we have to use it' is typical of the short sighted approach to strategic planning that Prenty and his ilk has plauged all Gaels west of the Shannon with for years.

There are plenty of clubs struggling for funds that could put this money to better use.

That's not confined to west of the Shannon.

Of course you cant judge anything from O'Byrne matches, except get a glimpse of new players who might get a run in the league.

Very experimental Dublin team as well lets not forget.

A couple of prospects for the future for Dublin showing up which is good to see.

Fennel looks like an option for midfielder, won some good ball today in shocking conditions and offloaded well when in traffic, one to look at in the NFL. 

O'Mahoney was making waves a couple of years ago until he got a nasty injury, looks like he's finally getting back to the player he was, worth a run in the league.

Paul Brogan is a nice footballer but you'd have to wonder about his defensive qualities, i'd definitely give him games in the league as wel, just as an option.

For Westmeath I thought Greene looks an exciting prospect, bit of niggle to him which isn't a bad thing anyway, full of confidence. Wilson was very good as well, Dessie had an off day by his standards, whats the story with Glennon? With him back youse could have a dangerous forward line.

SS : get a bit sick of it, should just ignore it i know but it's relentless. We don't want to become another hogan stand do we, especially at this time of year when the fair weather fans aren't on line.

They showed all of wicklows matches last year, what are yiz whinging about, would you prefer they rerun some rugby match or show highlights of soccer goals from portugal?