Galway seek Connacht fixture deferral to facilitate Hanley’s Rules trip

GALWAY GAA officials have asked the Connacht Council to postpone the provincial club semi-finals for a couple of weeks to allow Finian Hanley to travel with the Irish squad to Australia.

Hanley, who was vice-captain last year, is due to skipper Salthill/Knocknacarra in their Galway SFC semi-final replay on Sunday afternoon against Tuam Stars.

Hanley will travel to Australia on Monday if Salthill lose but if they win, the Galway SFC final is scheduled for the following Sunday as the Connacht club semi-final is fixed for the following week, November 6th.

The Galway championship is running late because of a row over a player’s eligibility which dragged on all summer, as well as an unusually high number of draws in games.

Galway football board secretary Seamus O’Grady said they are hopeful that the Connacht Council can push back the provincial semi-finals by a couple of weeks

“We have made a request that the Connacht semi-finals be moved by a couple of weeks to facilitate the delay in our competition because of all the draws we have had,” said O’Grady.

“If Salthill/Knocknacarra were to win on Sunday then Finian would have a real hard decision to make. Hopefully our request will be granted. I see Ulster and Leinster have given some grace so hopefully Connacht can now grant our request.”

The Galway champions are due to meet the winners of the Mayo final on November 6th, which will be contested by Ballintubber and Castlebar Mitchels next Sunday.

Tourlestrane of Sligo and Roscommon kingpins St Brigids meet in the other semi-final on the same day.

The Connacht decider is scheduled for Sunday November 20th, with the winners playing newly crowned London champions Fulham Gaels in an All-Ireland quarter final on December 4th.

Meanwhile Wicklow star Leighton Glynn, who has been selected to play for Ireland in his third international rules series, will not travel out to Australia until Monday.

He will be remaining at home for the weekend to help his local hurling and football clubs in vital championship games.

Rathnew, the reigning county senior football champions are involved in a crucial semi-final replay against their parish neighbours St. Patrick’s on Saturday, while Glenealy’s hurlers have a home game in the Leinster club championship against Kildare champions Celbridge on Sunday.