Late bid to ban UCD from championship

A LATE bid to have UCD hurlers banned from participating in the 2006 Dublin county championship seems doomed to fail.

Ballyboden St Enda’s have submitted a notice of motion to this effect to the County Board in the hope that it can be considered at annual convention on December 14.

However, an executive source indicated yesterday that this would not be possible. “Nothing can be done this year,” he pointed out.

Ballyboden decided to take this action after consulting with other clubs, in a bid to have UCD removed from next year’s Dublin championships.

The notice of motion they submitted goes further, calling for the exclusion of all third-level institutions. Already concern has been expressed in some quarters about the strength of the football squad assembled by DCU.

The letter from the club was submitted in time for a brief discussion at last night’s scheduled County Board meeting. Ballyboden also called for a further meeting on December 19.

Meanwhile Gregory O’Kane has joined Jim Connolly in turning down an offer to return to the Antrim hurling squad.

New manager Jim McKernan wanted the Dunloy forward to make himself available again.

Brendan Herron has opted to play inter-county football in 2006 but another dual player, Karl Stewart, is likely to be available for the hurlers.

O’Kane’s Dunloy team-mate Malachy Molloy has agreed to return to the county set-up.

McKernan met with the county squad earlier this week and county hurling chairman Pat Connolly described the atmosphere as “excellent.”

Over 30 players attended the meeting and were told county hurlers will get free gym membership this season.

That was in contrast to last year when the facility was withdrawn.

The county squad will train at Belfast Harlequins rugby club and players will also be allowed to train one night a week with their clubs.

McKernan has appointed Donegal man Paul Boyle as his team trainer.

Antrim play Offaly in the Walsh Cup in January and open their Allianz National Hurling League campaign at home to Galway on February 19.