Allstar footballers may get trip to Cayman Islands next year

THE cream of the country’s football talent may be travelling to the Caribbean next year if the GAA accept an offer to bring the 2003 and 2004 Vodafone GAA Allstar football teams to the Cayman Islands.

Alternatively, the sides could be taken to Hong Kong or South Africa, make a return visit to Buenos Aires or, be entertained in America for the third consecutive year. It emerged yesterday that approaches have been made on behalf of Irish connections in these exotic locations to host the 2005 tour.

Likewise, interest has been expressed on behalf of GAA units in San Francisco which hosted the first tour in 1972 and which has missed out since they were reintroduced in 1999.

Director-general Liam Mulvihill indicated over the weekend that the city "is lined up" for future games.

While the costs of the tours are borne jointly by GAA and Vodafone who have signed an agreement to extend their sponsorship for another year at least it's the association who decide on the location. The news that an application had been made on behalf of an Irish grouping in the Cayman Islands was received with some surprise yesterday. It later emerged that a direct approach had been made to Mr Mulvihill while he was in Melbourne last October for the International Rules Series against Australia.

Two main criteria have to be met before a visit can be undertaken, firstly the availability of a suitable playing pitch and secondly, the presence of an Irish community. Crucial, too, is the climate and on the basis that the weather for the duration of the current tour was disappointing, the expectation is that association leaders will opt for a country where good weather can be guaranteed.

It's understood that there is an Irish link with the Cayman Islands which could facilitate a tour. However, travel difficulties could rule it out.

The expectation is that San Francisco will definitely be included at some future date. There is the possibility of a county team travelling out there next year if GAA president Seán Kelly's proposal to organise "B" hurling and football championships is agreed at the upcoming congress in Killarney.

The suggestion is that the winners of the two championships should each get a trip to the US with August the preferred time for the respective New York and North American Boards. The official party flew from Phoenix yesterday to Las Vegas.

For the Kilkenny players, it promises to be a busy weekend, with a challenge game arranged for Saturday against All-Ireland club semi-finalists O'Loughlin Gaels before a Walsh Cup tie on Sunday.