There are claims that surgical appointments for cancer patients are being cancelled in significant numbers.

PADDY RYAN — P.S. Ó Riain — whose death took place on Saturday night, gave a life-long commitment to the GAA in Limerick and was one of the best-known figures at national level with close to 35 years of continuous service on the Central Council.

KERRY GAA and the world of Gaelic games is in mourning for one of its greatest football exponents, following the unexpected death yesterday of Tim Kennelly in his native Listowel.

JACK O'CONNOR joked that the other three managers who attended yesterday's Bank of Ireland football championship launch in Dublin had ganged up on him by each nominating Kerry to retain the Sam Maguire Cup - but he wasn't complaining.

CAMOGIE sensation Una O’Dwyer has been named Tipperary Person of the Year. The 23-year-old, has represented Tipp at every level from U14 and has five All-Irelands amongst a host of other titles.

TWO years after the Government reneged on part of its promised grant aid for the Croke Park redevelopment, the GAA have obtained a cast-iron guarantee that they will receive €40 million over the next two years.

THE GAA are poised to abandon plans to use a provincial venue for the International Rules Series against Australia.

WESTMEATH have not given up hope that midfielder Rory O’Connell – currently serving a 12-week suspension – may be able to play in Sunday’s Leinster football final against Laois.

A SPECIALIST garda division must be set up to tackle the growing problem of alcohol abuse, an abstinence group said yesterday.

THE successful funding of the projected 98m debt on Croke Park by the GAA over the next decade will depend on major championship games continuing to attract big attendances, GAA chief Liam Mulvihill admitted yesterday.

THE GAA can never pay a weekly allowance to inter-county players – or even to consider compensation for loss of earnings – if it is to remain an amateur organisation, Association President Sean Kelly insisted yesterday.