Kelly lends support to ‘Belfast bowl’ plan

GAA President Sean Kelly has voiced his backing for the historic new Belfast stadium proposal.

The Association has opted to row in with a number of other organisations, including soccer and rugby chiefs, for the £55 million development.

In his first public comment on the issue, Mr Kelly said: “From the point of view of the Good Friday Agreement and unity it’s a good thing.

“Danny Murphy (Ulster Council Secretary) made the point that the GAA is an inclusive organisation and I’m fully behind that notion.

“We want to reach out to people and sport has a huge part to play in doing that.

“In many ways it’s the only activity that can really break down barriers.”

One worry within the GAA, however, is that a new stadium will take from the profitability of Casement Park, if games go to the new stadium and not the Andersonstown venue.

But Kelly moved quickly to assuage fears and added: “What we’re doing is more of a symbolic thing for the people of Northern Ireland.

“We could survive fine without a new stadium but from the point of view of helping peace along we’re delighted to be involved.”

Champions Kilkenny have made two changes from the team which defeated Galway in the semi-final for Saturday’s Erin All-Ireland U21 hurling final against Tipperary in Nowlan Park.

Sean O’Neill comes in for John Phelan at right half-forward, while Owen Reid replaces Brian Dowling on the other wing.

The team includes three seniors who played against Cork last Sunday, wing-back Tommy Walsh, right corner-forward James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick and Conor Phelan, who came on as a sub.

Tipperary have also made two changes from the side that defeated Down in their semi-final.

Francis Devanney and Michael Farrell, who missed that game through injury, have been named at left half-forward and left corner-forward respectively as Tipperary look to win their first title at this level since 1995.

Pat Shortt, who was out of the country for the semi-final, is included among the subs.

Waterford are set to re-appoint senior hurling manager Justin McCarthy and his selection team.

McCarthy, who led the county to the two Munster SHC titles, is likely to be unopposed along with his selection team of Nicky Cashin, Seamie Hannon and Kevin Ryan.

The monthly meeting of the County Board takes place in Dungarvan on Monday night with the matter due to be discussed.

However, county chairman Paddy Joe Ryan said no final decision will be taken at the meeting.

“It will be an open process, and anyone wanting to be considered for the job will be,” the chairman said.

“Yes, everything points to the retention of the status quo,” he added, “but in a democracy anyone outside of the present management who would want to be considered is entitled to that consideration and will be given it.”

The Waterford SHC semi-finals will be played on the final weekend of the month with Ballygunner facing Lismore on Saturday evening (Sept 25) at 6pm and champions Mount Sion meeting Ballyduff Lower 24 hours later at Walsh Park. The final will be played on October 10.

Mark Herbert from Co Kildare will be aiming to make it five All-Ireland titles in a row at the MBNA Kick Fada final on Saturday at Bray Emmets club, Co Wicklow.

Among the big names attempting to prevent the Kildare man winning his fifth consecutive title will be Mattie Forde, Shane Curran, Ciaran McManus, Padraig Clancy, Darren and Johnny Magee, Fermanagh’s Liam McBarron and Armagh’s Paul Hearty.

Herbert has won every final since the inaugural MBNA Kick Fada in 2000 and holds the current All-Ireland and world record with an impressive 72 metres, kicked over the bar from the ground.

TIPPERARY (U-21 v Kilkenny): P. McCormack (Thurles Sarsfields); A. Morrissey (Galtee Rovers), C. O’Mahoney (Newport), D. Walton (Ballingarry); E. Hanley (Lattin/Cullen), D. Fitzgerald (Roscrea), H. Moloney (Éire Óg Nenagh); J. Caesar (Killenaule), W. Cully (Thurles Sarsfields); P. Buckley (Emly), S. Sweeney (Ballybacon-Grange), F. Devanney (Toomevara); E. Sweeney (Loughmore- Castleiney), T. Scroope (Burgess), M. Farrell (Killenaule). Subs. G. Hennessy (Killenaule), T. Fitzgerald (Roscrea), D. Morrissey (Galtee Rovers), D. Sheppard (Moycarkey-Borris), S. McGrath (Ballinahinch), W. Ryan (Toomevara), D. O’Brien (Burgess), P. Shortt (Upperchurch-Drombane).

KILKENNY (U-21 v Tipperary): D. Herrity (Dunamaggin); S. Maher (Tullaroan), J. Tennyson (Carrickshock), M. Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks); T. Walsh (Tullaroan), PJ Delaney (The Fenians), C. Hoyne (Graigue Ballycallan); S. Hennessy (Tullaroan), P. Cleere (Blacks and Whites); S. O’Neill (Dunmaggin), W. O’Dwyer (Mullinavat), O. Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks); J. Fitzpatrick (Ballyhale Shamrocks), C. Phelan (Clara), R. Power (Carrickshock).