Few takers as Tommy Murphy Cup draw made

ONLY five counties will contest the inaugural Tommy Murphy Cup, a tournament for sides beaten in the All-Ireland senior football championship.

Despite the dearth of competition, the draw has produced an interesting first round pairing between Clare and London, which will be played on the weekend of July 24/25.

Former Doonbeg and Banner star forward Paul Hehir was a key player for London throughout the NFL and in their two championship outings. He could now face his former team- mates later this month.

The winners will play Louth in one semi-final on August 7 and Antrim and Sligo will contest the other. The final is fixed for August 22.

Meanwhile, the GAA has announced that O'Neills will be the official sponsors of the inaugural Continental Youth Championships, which will take place in New York later this month.

The championships will involve teams from cities across North America and Canada, participating in coaching sessions and competitive games at State University of New York campuses from July 23-25.

It will be the biggest ever gathering of underage GAA players outside of Ireland, with organisers expecting that more than 1,000 boys and girls from San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Toronto and New York will take part at age levels from U10 to U18.

Announcing the sponsorship, GAA President Sean Kelly said it was appropriate a company like O'Neills, who provide a valuable service to GAA clubs, should sponsor the initiative.

"We would hope, with their support and through the hard work of the various people on the ground, these championships will encourage young players to progress to play our games at adult level throughout the US and Canada and thus ensure the future of Gaelic Football on the continent."

As well as funding the event, O'Neills will supply hundreds of footballs and T-shirts over the next three years.