Kelly receives presentation at congress

A presentation to former GAA President Sean Kelly concluded proceedings at last night's opening session of GAA Congress 2007 in Kilkenny.

A small presentation was made to Sean and his wife by current President Nickey Brennan, and Kelly expressed his delight with the goodwill from GAA members.

"It was a great pleasure to serve in the most prestigious position that any volunteer could have in Ireland," Kelly stated.

"I enjoyed it, I made many friends and I didn't see anybody as an enemy. We are a very wonderful organisation and I am very pleased to see the organisation going forward."

The Kerryman attended his final Ard Comhairle meeting just prior to the opening of Congress in which it was decided that play-off games will be used to decide any issues in Division 2A of the National Football League, involving Offaly and Longford following this weekend's final round

of fixtures.

Longford were awarded both points from their drawn game with Offaly after it was discovered that the Faithful county had fielded an ineligible player.

However, the result of the game was scrapped meaning that neither side's score difference was altered.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that just €2m was brought into GAA funds from attendances at last year's National Football and Hurling League matches.

That was one of the stark figures released at last night's GAA Congress in Kilkenny by new Director of Finance Tom Ryan.

€18m was spent on county teams in 2006 - €2m of which came from Central Council funds.