Gallagher puts club before county call

RAYMOND Gallagher will make no decision on his inter-county situation until St Brigids’ club championship campaign has come to an end.

Gallagher announced last week that he would not be playing with his native Fermanagh this season, citing, among other reasons, the failure of the county to retain the services of highly-regarded trainer Marty McElkennon.

McElkennon has since joined Eamon Coleman at the helm in Cavan, and his defection prompted Dominic Corrigan to step down as manager. Gallagher says he will weigh up his options, and decide his future in the inter-county game when Brigids’ successful season eventually ends.

It is unlikely that Gallagher will look at a possible transfer to Dublin, currently being rumoured for his cousin Rory. The Dublin county board are expected to meet to discuss the possibility of the forward joining the Dubs in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the cousins’ former team-mates had their first training session under Charlie Mulgrew, Corrigan’s successor, in Enniskillen last night. The former Donegal star, a member of the 1992 All-Ireland winning panel, was right-hand man to Declan Bonner in his native county in the late 1990’s.

And despite the problems besetting Fermanagh, Mulgrew is looking forward to the challenge. “I am excited about the challenge and would like to think I bring a certain amount of skill and experience to the job.

“Losing a top-quality forward like Raymie is going to be hard, but Fermanagh have a good enough squad to deal with the loss. I hope to build on Dominic Corrigan’s great work and our first priority is to retain Division One status.”

Loup will go into their All-Ireland club semi-final against Caltra without one of their most influential players. The Derry champions will be without powerful midfielder John O’Kane for the game, set for Markievicz Park on February 22. O’Kane damaged his cruciate ligament in a recent game against Tyrone U21’s. However, defender Seamus O’Kane will return from suspension for the game.

Meanwhile, John Gildea looks set to return to the Donegal panel for another season. The midfielder, one of the county’s most influential players in recent years, has had ongoing knee problems but is expected to return within the next few weeks. “John told me he would be re-joining the squad shortly,” manager Brian McEniff said.

Following the abolition of the Players Voluntary Insurance scheme, the GAA yesterday announced details of an upgraded Players injury scheme as recommended by the Insurance Work Group under the Chairmanship of Brendan Dempsey.

The mandatory Players Injury Scheme will cost the GAA in the region of €7.3million annually to fund and administer and will come into effect on February 1. The initiative will be funded entirely from club and GAA resources and will offer benefits to members of GAA clubs playing gaelic games or performing designated duties in connection with the activities of registered clubs.

The President of the GAA, Mr Sean Kelly, welcomed the updated scheme and pointed out that while there is no legal obligation on the GAA to provide such a scheme, it will be of immense security and benefit to players at no direct cost to themselves.

“This is not an insurance scheme and does not seek to compensate fully for injury, but is intended to supplement any personal cover that players or club members may have themselves. We feel that this initiative will be of immense benefit to our players and members in supplementing costs arising from injuries sustained.”

He also pointed out that it was frequently overlooked that 6% of the gross gate receipts from championship and league games is also used to help to finance the scheme, administered by Coyle Hamilton Ltd.

The initiative will provide for benefits of up to €300,000 in the case of lifetime disability and up to €100,000 for injuries including loss of sight or disablement from gainful employment. Contingencies such as unrecoverable medical or dental expenses, hospital expenses and loss of wages are also provided for.

Queens University Camogie Club celebrates 70 years of camogie this year and as part of the celebrations the club intends to establish a Past Members Union.

They are inviting all former members to join the QUB Camogie Club Past Members Union and be part of the celebrations.