Ryan hopeful of Duggan resolution by weekend

Cork County Board chairman Bob Ryan last night said he is hopeful a resolution will be found by the end of this week, to the case that has left former Cork footballer Diarmuid Duggan out of pocket to almost €7,000 due to medical bills incurred while trying to cure a career-ending hip injury.

At last night’s meeting of the Cork County Board, Ryan informed club delegates that he has had several conversations with Duggan — man of the match in the 2008 Munster senior football final against Kerry — about the matter since the Ilen Rovers club man went public last Monday week on the difficulties he has endured in being reimbursed.

Ryan was responding to a query on the matter from Bride Rovers delegate John Arnold, who expressed concern over the level of coverage the case has received.

“I have met with the player involved and spoken to him on a number of occasions. We agreed at our meeting that negotiations would not take place in the public domain or through the media or on the airwaves. We are currently investigating the situation and are making a serious attempt to resolve the situation. I would be very hopeful that by the week’s end to resolve this in the best possible way,” said Ryan.

Meanwhile, Leinster Council GAA chairman Martin Skelly wants the All-Ireland club finals to be played in January.

In his convention address, the Longford native questioned the three-month gap between provincial club championships and All-Ireland semi-finals.

He also believes smaller counties are greatly affected by not having players available in the Allianz League while they’re tied up with club duty in February and March.

“It still baffles me that the All-Ireland championship at club level cannot be completed in January,” said Skelly.

Skelly wants club finals held in January

“The provincial representatives are known in late November early December and yet it then takes us three months plus to play-off the remaining two games in these competitions.

He added: “I question the idea of keeping a competition going for three months-plus to provide a GAA occasion on St Patrick’s Day.”

Skelly also called on the GAA to introduce a measure to curb the amount of hand-passing in Gaelic football.

“I believe it is destroying our game. Unless it is controlled, our game will disintegrate.”

Skelly also expressed his support for the Interprovincial series, despite the pessimism expressed about it by other GAA officials.