Kelly hits out at Croke Park critics

GAA President Sean Kelly yesterday hit out at those who claimed it was now easier for rugby and soccer players to play at Croke Park.

The fact that the All-Ireland club finals in the senior, intermediate and junior are now played there gave the lie to that view, he insisted.

Describing such claims as “a fabrication,” he pointed to the value of subsidiary competitions like the Tommy Murphy, Nicky Rackard and Christy Ring Cups. In effect, every inter-county player now had a “realistic” chance of playing in Croke Park.

“Certainly, opening up Croke Park has two sides. We opened it up to other sports in their hour of need and that was well received. But we have also opened it up to our own games and that is most important.’’

He made his comments in Dublin at the presentation of the AIB club championship provincial awards in hurling and football at a function in the International Financial Centre. Recipients included Galway dual player Alan Kerins, who is only the third player in the history of the competition to play in hurling and football finals with different clubs. A member of the Salthill-Knocknacarra team which meets St Galls of Antrim in the football decider, he previously played with Clarinbridge in the 2002 hurling final, when Birr triumphed.

Young Kilkenny star Eoin Larkin picked up the Leinster award in hurling for the second consecutive year.

The award winners were chosen by GAA media around the country based on player performances in the 2005 provincial competitions.

Two Coaching & Games Development awards were made, one to John Fahey, Galway Hurling Board Secretary and the other to Liam Cheasty from Butlerstown in Co. Waterford.

Fahey, from the St Thomas club, has been involved in promoting hurling in the Galway for 30 years. He has the distinction of managing the first minor team to win the All-Ireland (in 1983).

Over the last 20 years Cheasty has filled the roles of manager and coach of the Butlerstown club, tournament director of the Roanmore charity blitz and chairman of the Waterford GAA Designated Areas Committee to promote Gaelic games in disadvantaged areas of the city.

Meanwhile, the winner of the Ulster award for hurling, Ballygalget’s Johnny McGrattan is looking forward to a Cork victory in the March 17 club hurling decider.

“I have nothing against Portumna, but I’m hoping Newtownshandrum win the match,’’ he said yesterday.

“I have always supported Cork. When I was a young fellow my father used to take me to Croke Park to watch them. And it was the way Newtownshandrum reacted to us, before, during and after the game. They were so gracious and nice. I’ll certainly be in Croke Park to support them.’’

Meanwhile, as far as picking a winner in the football final is concerned, Kilmacud-Crokes coach Nickey McGrath believes the game is wide open.

“It’s poised to be a cracker but a lot will depend on Salthill being able to cope with the ‘Northern’ style of play favoured by St Galls.”

Nemo Rangers star James Masters, winner of the Munster award, said: “I think Antrim have a fierce good chance. Their work rate was unbelievable against us. And any team that works for each other they way they did has to has to be respected.’’

The award winners: Football: Alan Kerins (Salthill-Knocknacarra); Ray Cosgrove (Kilmacud Crokes); James Masters (Nemo Rangers); Karl Stewart (St. Galls).

Hurling: Damien Hayes (Portumna), Eoin Larkin (James Stephens), Jerry O’Connor (Newtownshandrum), Johnny McGrattan (Ballygalget).