GAA to switch All-Ireland finals to accommodate golf fans

JUST days after their groundbreaking decision to co-operate with rugby and soccer, the GAA announced yesterday that they have agreed to change the dates of the 2006 All-Ireland finals at the request of European golfing authorities.

It has been done to avoid a clash with the Ryder Cup, which is being hosted in Ireland for the first time at the K Club in Kildare from September 22-24. This results in the All-Ireland finals being switched to the first and third Sundays of September.

GAA President Sean Kelly said they had been in a position to move the finals - from the more customary second and fourth Sundays in recent years - because they had time to plan ahead. And he stressed that they were delighted to help.