London to host interprovincial football final

The 2009 GAA M Donnelly Interprovincial Football Championship final will take place by the banks of the Thames after Ruislip in London was chosen to host the decider in November.

The event, which will coincide with the GAA's 125th Anniversary celebrations in London, will take place on Sunday, November 8 at 2pm - just a fortnight after the semi-finals.

Ulster will play host to Leinster at Crossmaglen on Saturday, October 24 (throw-in 2.30pm), with Munster and Connacht meeting in the other semi-final on the same day at 7.30pm in Limerick's Gaelic Grounds.

Leinster's involvement in the competition will see a familiar face return to management.

Former Dublin boss Paul Caffrey will take charge of the eastern province, succeeding his fellow capital native Val Andrews.

The city centre-based garda will have current Meath and Wicklow selectors, Donal Curtis and Kevin O'Brien, as part of his background team.

Munster are the reigning champions. They claimed their first title in nine years at Portlaoise last November with victory over Connacht.

This year's final sees a return to recent trends this decade of staging the Interprovincial finals overseas with previous deciders taking place in Rome, Paris and Boston.