Trio get call-ups for Allstars tour

FOOTBALLERS Enda McNulty of Armagh, Ryan McMenamin of Tyrone and Padraig Clancy of Laois received early Christmas presents yesterday when they were invited to join the Vodafone GAA Allstars on tour in Hong Kong in the new year.

They have been called up as replacements for the tour and will take part in an exhibition match to be played between the 2003 All Stars and the 2004 All Stars on January 22nd.The replacements are chosen in place of All Stars who are unable to travel or who are carrying injuries.

Preparations for the tour are well advanced with a strong host committee in Hong Kong set to ensure this will be the most successful tour ever.

The exhibition game will be played in the Hong Kong Football Club, the venue for many world-renowned sports events.

The Hong Kong GAA Club and the Irish community bring experience to the event, having previously hosted the Asian Game in recent years.

The Allstar footballers have visited Dubai and San Diego on the East Coast of the United Stated in recent years, while the hurlers have travelled to Buenos Aires and Phoenix.

A large number of cities around the world have already applied to host the hurlers next year and a decision on a venue is expected in spring.

The Vodafone All Stars leave for Hong Kong on January 19th and will return to Ireland a week later.