Not to ‘B’ as London are latest side to pull out of Tommy Murphy Cup

LONDON have become the latest team to withdraw from the Tommy Murphy Cup.

The competition created by GAA President Sean Kelly, designed to give counties beaten in the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers extra games, has now been reduced to four counties.

"The view from the other counties is that it has come a year too early as most of them had their fixtures programmes made out," a Croke Park spokesperson said yesterday.

"But it is hoped that there will be a bigger take-up for next year's event," he added.

Clare now advance to a semi-final against Louth, while Antrim will play Sligo in the other fixture.

The date for the semis is the weekend of August 7/8, with the final on August 22.

The winners of the competition will receive a trip to Boston.

Meanwhile Gaelic Gear, the West Belfast-based company which supplies sports and leisure gear nationwide, has had its match ball officially endorsed by the GAA.

It means that the (18-panel) ball can now be used at all levels of Gaelic games up to and including All-Ireland finals. The managing director of the company, Paul Campbell, described the licensing of the ball as "the greatest step forward" since their official endorsement as a supplier of clothing.

"Our work in developing the ball and the GAA's endorsement of it is a clear signal of our determination to offer GAA fans and participants choice, quality and value in all areas of our games,'' he said.

Three counties Down, Wexford and Fermanagh - already have exclusive distribution deals with Gaelic Gear and the company views this as an endorsement of their standing in the market.

"From here on those who organise and play our games at county, club, schools and college level have a choice in the equipment and playing gear they use,'' he added.

"It is a choice born out of years of investment, research and development by Gaelic Gear.''