Interpro championships set for 2012 return

The Interprovincial Football and Hurling Championships, formerly known as the Railway Cups, are poised to return to the GAA calendar in 2012.

The competitions were not played in 2010 and are absent from this year's fixtures list, with GAA officials citing falling attendances and a difficulty in selecting suitable dates.

But the Central Council of the GAA last night voted for the return of the Championships on a trial basis, at a pre-Congress meeting in Mullingar, County Westmeath.

They are unlikely to be played later this year, especially as Ireland are due to contest the International Rules Series in Australia.

The likes of Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte, Clare businessman Martin Donnelly, who has sponsored the competitions in recent years, and former Munster selector Noel Walsh, a long-time supporter of the Interpros, had given support to their revival.

Donnelly feels that the GAA should allow the GPA to take over the running of the Interpros and gate receipts from the matches could benefit a central players' fund, helping either players who are injured or those who are struggling for work.

The first Railway Cup competitions were played in 1927, with the name stemming from the donation of the trophies by Irish Rail.

The finals used to be held on St. Patrick's Day and drew huge crowds, especially in the 1950s and 1960s. The current holders are Ulster (football) and Leinster (hurling).