GAA unveils internet results service
“This website, www.gaaresults.ie, means every club has the opportunity to upload the results of every club game,” says Kelly.
“No matter what the game, from U-12 up in football, hurling, camogie, handball and ladies’ football, club members can subscribe to receive text messages of the results posted by a member of the club, such as the secretary.
“The texts cost 30 cent, but if every club has 300 members subscribing to the service, they get 40% of the money generated. That means a small club playing 110 matches generates €4,320 for its club. We reckon we’ll be giving €10 to €15 million to the GAA by November.
“We’re set up for the UK and Ireland, but, in time, we’ll hit Europe, Australia, and America. We’re not taking anything out of this other than advertising. We’re not here to make a loss, obviously, but we’re already employing 10 staff.
“The idea is to create an internet community.”
Meanwhile, former team-mates, opponents and friends of Gaelic football legend Enda Colleran - right corner-back on the Team of the Century and the Team of the Millennium - are to celebrate his life with a special tribute weekend in his native Moylough.
The high point of the Enda Colleran Weekend next month will be the unveiling by incoming GAA President Nicky Brennan of a life-size bronze statue of Mr Colleran, in Moylough, Co Galway.
Mr Colleran was a key member of the famous three-in-a-row Galway team of 1964-’66, and his death, two years ago at the age of 63, caused great sadness among GAA fans.
Now many of the players who lined out alongside Mr Colleran are to come together to remember the schoolteacher. The bronze statue has been sculpted by Mr Colleran’s former pupil John Coll - and the organisers have issued a general invitation to GAA fans to share in the celebrations from April 28-30.
“Enda was extremely popular all over Ireland and beyond. He was a complete gentleman and one of the greatest ever players to play Gaelic football,” said former team-mate Joe Conway, a member of the organising committee.
“We hope that people who knew him will come along to the weekend of events, including the unveiling of the statue on the evening of April 29.”
Several special events will reflect Enda’s abiding interest in fitness, personal health and coaching, commencing on Friday, April 28, with the Enda Colleran Sports and Health Forum at 8pm.
The panel of expert speakers will include Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, former Cork hurling manager Donal O’Grady, Professor Niall Moyna, and Irish Triple Crown manager Eddie O’Sullivan, who lives in Moylough.
“We have a very busy programme of events planned that will celebrate the life of Enda, who is missed so much by all of us,” added Mr Conway.
Former three-in-a-row ’keeper Johnny Geraghty will deliver a special tribute to Mr Colleran.
Meanwhile, Limerick show two changes in personnel from the team which beat Laois for Sunday’s visit to Antrim, in Division 1B of the NHL.
The selectors have opted for the return of Brian Murray over Timmy Houlihan - who made his first appearance of the season between the posts at O’Moore Park - with Donie Ryan, scorer of the only goal in that game after coming in as substitute, replacing Mark Riordan. Ryan figures in a new role for him at midfield. Stephen Lucey once again continues at centre-forward.
Sligo defenders Michael Langan and Johnny Martyn have rejoined the senior football squad. Both played prominent roles on the team over the last number of years, but they missed the early stages of the current league.
Corner-forward Dessie Sloyan is expected to be fit in time for Sligo’s final league outing against Wicklow at Markievicz Park on Sunday week, but a groin injury could keep Brendan Egan out for a few more weeks.
Former All-star midfielder, Eamon O’Hara and full forward Paul Taylor, who came as substitutes against Antrim last week, continue to improve after long-term injuries.
New Sligo boss, Tommy Breheny will be keeping a close look-out for emerging talent on the club scene over the coming weeks as Sligo prepare for their Connacht championship meeting with Galway in May.
: B. Murray; D. Reale, TJ Ryan, M. Foley, O. Moran, B. Geary, D. O'Grady; P. O'Grady, D. Ryan;M. O'Brien, S. Lucey, C. Fitzgerald, A. O'Shaughnessy, B. Begley, M. Keane.
: PJ O’Gorman; J Fitzgerald, M Lucid, D Slattery; K O’Sullivan, A Boyle, C Harris; J Griffin, A Keane; S Brick, A Cronin, M Conway; J Egan, JM Dooley, M Slattery.
