GAA tackles Ryder mismatch

FOR only the second time in its history, the GAA has agreed to change the date of the 2006 All-Ireland football final to avoid a clash with the Ryder Cup.

Tiger Woods and company are due to tee up against their European counterparts at the K-Club in Co Kildare over three days from September 22-24. The GAA has agreed to move the final back a week to October 1.

"The GAA has been most helpful in ensuring that the two events don't take place on the same day and we are very grateful to them," Richard Hills, director of Ryder Cup Ltd, said yesterday.