Tipp official wants All-Ireland finals in August

TIPPERARY Football Board chairman Pete Savage has called for the All-Ireland senior hurling and football finals to be played in August to facilitate the club championships.

Speaking at the board's convention in Thurles, the former inter-county star said that the GAA will not survive if the hierarchy continues to squeeze out the club scene.

"We cannot continue with a trend where inter-county games are taking up so much time," he said.

"The provincial championships are too spread out. Clubs do not know when county players are available. The hierarchy should take a look at the situation to aim for a tighter inter-county schedule. "Playing the hurling and football All-Irelands in August would help free up more Sundays for club games."

Meanwhile Joe McKenna has axed five players who figured in Limerick's Under-21 All-Ireland winning teams from 2000/2002 from his panel to go into special training for the upcoming National League.

Out of favour are the Tobin brothers, Pat and Kevin, Michael Clifford, Michael Cahill and Donncha Sheehan, who captained the 2001 U-21 All-Ireland winning team.

Neither are there places for fringe players Alan O'Connor, Kieran O'Dwyer and goalkeeper John Fitzgerald.

Pat Tobin was the only regular, albeit mainly as substitute, on the Limerick team which reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals when beaten by Kilkenny at Croke Park.

Another former U-21 star, Mark Keane of South Liberties, is back in favour after an 18-month absence. Willie Walsh, winner of two All-Ireland U-21 titles, is also restored, having fully recovered from injury.

Upwards of 10 new players have been added to the panel, with McKenna insisting that the door is still open to those who have departed.

Limerick will compete in the newly-structured Waterford Crystal League in January, joined by Tipperary, Waterford and Clare, as well as third level colleges.

The Young Hurler of the Year, Galway's David Collins, has had to give up a trip with the All-Stars to Singapore as he will be doing exams.

Collins impressed in Galway's march to the All-Ireland senior final and was one of the key members of the victorious team which defeated Kilkenny in the U-21 final. He was invited as a replacement on the January All-Stars trip.

He was due to join Galway's four All-Stars, Ollie Canning, Derek Hardiman, Damien Hayes and Ger Farragher, as well as replacements Tony Óg Regan, David Forde, Damian Joyce and Alan Kerins.

"It would have been a fitting reward for David, but he is tied up with exams," said Galway Hurling Board chairman Miko Ryan.