Mayo hoping to avoid Six Nations clash

MAYO County Board have applied to the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) to change the throw-in time for their league game with Dublin to avoid a clash with Ireland’s Six Nations fixture against France.

The board are hoping for a bigger attendance and a possible spin-off for local businesses in Castlebar by changing the time from 7pm to 6.30pm as France host Ireland at 8pm the same night, Saturday February 11.

Sources in Mayo say Dublin have already agreed to the possible time change as have Setanta Sports, who will carry the game live from McHale Park.

Meanwhile the Bórd na Mona O’Byrne Cup final between Kildare and DCU will be played at Newbridge in St Conleth’s Park on Sunday.

DCU manager Niall Moyna said they will put out a strong side despite facing a Sigerson Cup opener against Cork IT two days later.

“We were invited into the tournament and the tournament is for an injured players’ fund. I think we have to show it the respect it deserves.

“Obviously, we’ll be putting out a very strong team. We didn’t envisage getting to the final and in a way it’s a nice problem to have but it’s not ideal preparation. It wouldn’t be in the best interest of player welfare to be playing two games so close together.”

On his row with Donegal manager Jim McGuinness over the availability of Martin McElhinney, Moyna said: “I’m going to get that dog lie now.

“I made my views clear and I want to move on from there. It’s the first time in my 10 years in DCU a player has been taken away from exam preparations.”

Dublin chairman Andy Kettle insists the GAA has to streamline its fixtures calendar to help young players.

“One of our own players will be involved in the O’Byrne Cup final, starts Sigerson [Cup] the following Tuesday and will quite possibly be involved in the league (opener).

“There is a feeling that in the early months of the year, particularly for players in the college/U21 ranks, players are being asked to do a little bit too much.”