Bizarre twist to Munster's Railway Cup no-show controversy

by Brendan Larkin
THE row over the four Clare hurlers who failed to show up for Munster's Railway Cup clash with Leinster on Sunday took a bizarre new twist last night.
One of the four, Clare captain Anthony Daly contradicted initial claims made by the Munster manager that he had missed the game because of an illness to his child. He also confirmed last night that he is to take a break from hurling in order to "recharge the batteries".
Clare selector Mike MacNamara — in his capacity as the Munster manager — said in the wake of Sunday's Nowlan Park controversy that Daly was forced out of the game because his child had fallen ill on Sunday morning.
However Daly denied that his child was ill at any stage.
"I've always deemed it an honour to play for Munster when selected, but on this occasion I informed the manager of the team on the Wednesday preceding the game that I would not be available as I wanted to take a break.
"It was only when I read the papers later in the week that I learned I had been picked to play.
"I've been playing hurling almost non stop since 1995 when we made the breakthrough.
"It's been hectic ever since. Recently I received a neck injury playing football with the club and that has been slow to respond.
"It is not correct to say that the reason I opted out of the Munster game last Sunday was because my baby daughter was ill.
"She is fine, thank God."
Daly, along with Clare colleagues Davy Fitzgerald, Liam Doyle and Niall Gilligan, came in for strong criticism for failing to turn up for the game — including from Munster selector Jimmy O'Gorman.
Goalkeeper Davie Fitzgerald confirmed that he was committed to playing with Sixmilebridge in a charity fund-raising game against Dunloy for the Omagh Relief Fund on the day of the Railway Cup match, and deemed it a much more worthy cause.
"After the match we attended a function that night, and we made every effort to get back in time for the Railway Cup.
"The earliest we would have arrived in Shannon was at 12.30pm on the Sunday morning, and there was no way I would have made it to Nowlan Park in time.
"Anyone that knows me knows that I would play two and three games of hurling a week if I could, and it's unfair to criticise Niall Gilligan and I for not turning up to the Railway Cup match.
"I felt the game up North was a much more worthy cause on this particular occasion.
"The most important thing in life is life itself, and if am able to do something small thing to help others then I'll do it."
Referring to the criticism levelled at Clare this year, Fitzgerald said it was totally unjustified.
"What has been said and written about us is totally unjustified.
"I've been playing with Clare for 10 years and for five of them won absolutely nothing.
"Now that we are having success, everybody appears to be down on us. At the end of the day it's only sport.
"If we are beaten by a better team on the day then the best of luck to them, but give us the credit when we win.
"The effort we have put in to get to where we are at present has been just incredible, and I know it will end someday. For now don't begrudge us our success," said the Clare netminder.
Meanwhile Cork have made two changes from the team that shared the points with Offaly in their opening game in the National Football League, for Sunday's home game against Leitrim at Pairc Uí Rinn throw-in(1.30pm).
Anthony Lynch who was picked for the Offaly match but cried off through injury, comes back in at left corner back in place of Mallow's Michael O'Donovan.
The other change sees Martin Cronin come in for the injured Padraig O'Regan at left half-back.
Cronin had been doubtful with an eye injury sustained in a hurling game with his club but has been declared fit to play.
Cork look set to take two valuable league points from a side that suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Galway in round one. Padraig O'Mahony who chalked up six points against Offaly will lead the attack while Bantry's Philip Clifford who made an impressive debut and scored the goal that earned his side a share of the points, is again chosen at right corner forward.

CORK- M. Maguire (Castlehaven); M. O'Donovan (Dohenys), R. McCarthy (Douglas), A. Lynch (Naomh Aban); N. McCarthy (O'Donovan Rossa), O. Sexton (Kilbrittain), M. Cronin (Nemo Rangers); N. Murphy (Carrigaline), F. Collins (Caheragh); B. Walsh (Clonakilty), P. O'Mahony (Ballincollig), D. Davis (O'Donovan Rossa); P. Clifford (Bantry), C. Crowley (Castlehaven), A. O'Regan (Castletownbere). Subs. K. O'Dwyer (O'Donovan Rossa), M. O'Donovan (Mallow), K. O'Connor (Aghada), M. O'Sullivan (Carbery Rangers), J. Kavanagh (Nemo Rangers), B. J. O'Sullivan (Adrigole), M. O'Connor (Bantry), F. Murray (St. Finbarrs).

Begley may well become subject of tug-of-war

BRIAN BEGLEY seen as one of the most promising young players in Limerick could find himself involved in a tug of war for his services next Sunday.
Already he has been chosen at centre-back on the County Football team which opens its National League Campaign against Roscommon first round winners over Kerry in Newcastle West.
And when the Limerick hurling selectors announce their team later today for Sunday's Oireachtas clash against Laois in Doon, it is also expected that Begley will be named at full back.
The Mungret player is seen by Cregan as a possible replacement for Pa Carey at full back and has already had a couple of outings.
Limerick football boss Paddy Mulvihill had included six under 21 players for the League match but will have to plan this season without the services of his most experienced player Timmy Cummins.

The team is: J. McMahon, P. Windle, D. Sheehy,G. O'Connor, D. Reidy, B. Begley, N. Kelly, J. Quane, N. Mulvihill, F. Finnan, M. O'Doherty, J. Murphy, N. Frewen, M. Reidy, A.N. Other.

With the Gaelic Grounds hosting the Co U-21 hurling final between Knockaney and Adare, the Co Board has decided to switch their Oireachtas game to Doon. Meanwhile, University of Limerick have to wait for another few days before knowing their opponents in the semi-finals of the Munster Club football championship.
They were to have played the Clare winners next Sunday but matters are still unresolved in the Banner County.

Deliver us from the splits in our games

THE first item on any Irish agenda, according to the great Brendan Behan, was the split. And while it isn't our exclusive preserve, we do seem to have a great capacity for civil wars, of all dimensions. Currently, in the GAA, we have this long-running Clare/GAA Headquarters series of skirmishes — counter-productive, and damaging to all concerned.
Last week, just as the Munster team for the ailing Railway Cup semi-final was announced, the GAA also announced that Ger Loughnane and Robert Frost would shortly be hauled before them, to answer outdated charges. Then, just a few days later, from the thirty selected players to start that semi-final, four failed to make an appearance. All from Clare.
I don't know about the rest of ye, but I'm getting sick to death of this whole affair. If there isn't an amicable end put to the whole business before the end of this year (and I have the feeling that not even the Mitchell/Mowlam duet could facilitate that unlikely event), then it threatens to overshadow the All-Ireland series again next year.
Both sides should sit down and sort this out, for the good of the sport in general. Just start with the unlikely statement — right lads, we're all members of the same organisation, and our overall aim is to further that organisation.
So, we turn away from the GAA, and to rugby. And bump into Keith Wood, bumping into the IRFU. Great sport altogether, but equally damaging and counter-productive, as the Clare/GAA debacle. Blind men can see that there are good people, and only good people, on all sides of these debates. A modicum of intelligence would recognise that each side has good reason. But, reason? One thing about Brendan, he knew his onions.
Away from that depressing nonsense, and on with sport.
The Irish team for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Georgia contains no surprises. And I think it should have. Clohessy, Nesdale and Wallace was predicted by my young daughter, and the whole world concurs. I would have had Davidson instead of Johns, partnering O'Kelly in the second row, but having already been named as captain, Paddy Johns was always going to be there. But that's okay, Paddy never lets us down, and Jeremy will probably be eased into the action at some stage.
At the back, and in the absence of Quinlan, I wouldn't argue too much with Miller, Ward and Costello, though I think O'Cuinneaghain could have squeezed out Costello.
But it's in the backs I think we should have created the surprise. Elwood and McGuinness are now as familiar a pairing as salt and pepper, and likely to remain so for the Gatland term. After their combined Connacht heroics last year, he knows their value. O'Shea was always going to be at full-back, and I have no argument with that. Bishop and Maggs on the wings, predicted by many. I would have preferred to see O'Mahony, an out-
and-out striker, in place of Maggs, but Maggs is a player.
But, the centres. With Pat Duignan, the new cap, I agree. He has shown some real imagination there, some real threat. But with Jonathon Bell, I have lost all faith.
The best ball-carrier I've seen in Irish rugby, this season or the past several seasons, is Eddie Halvey. The best man to make a break, carve an opening, or time the pass. Last Saturday, I watched two pairs of senior centres spend eighty minutes trying to do what, it appears, is the only thing the modern-day centre is coached to do. Crash. Bang, bang, bang, bang, they went, hammering away. Fruitlessly.
Unless I seriously missed something when I was playing in the centre, there is nothing Eddie Halvey lacks to allow him play in that position. Tackle, run, pass; size, speed and strength; the eye for the opening, and the legs or the hands to take advantage of it.
It's one sign of madness, they say, to try the same thing over and over again, but expect different results. Bell has been tried over and over again. I saw him several weeks ago, when Munster trounced Ulster — he was anonymous, Halvey was everywhere.
We have what should be two easy international games coming up. It would have taken courage. It would have taken a leap of imagination. It might even have meant coercion of the player concerned. But it would have been a perfect opportunity to try something radical. Because whatever about having talent like Mick Galway languishing on the fringes, when we already have outstanding talent in his position, it's criminal waste to see Eddie Halvey side-lined, when we are screaming for help in the centre of the field.

Power has hill to climb to keep title

by Brendan Mooney
SEAMUS POWER has put the disappointment of the 98FM Dublin City Marathon behind him and will be chasing his fourth successive national inter-counties cross-country title at Ballyhaise on Sunday week.
However, the 27-year-old Clareman is under no illusion as to the task ahead of him, as he prepares to take on the reigning national inter-clubs champion, Peter Matthews.
Matthews, who will be 29 next week, is enjoying a new lease of life since winning the national senior inter-clubs title for the second time in Wexford last February.
Sponsorship from Telecom, with whom he worked as a trainee technician, and a £7,000 Government grant has enabled him to become a full-time athlete.
And two big performances in recent weeks have underscored the fact that he is enjoying himself immensely.
Two weeks ago he finished third behind two Kenyans in a starstudded field at a big international cross-country race in Belgrade.
And last weekend he had a field of 1,000 trailing behind as he outsprinted Glyn Tromans in Birmingham.
This was one of his best performances ever and he was making no effort to conceal his elation two days later. "The course suited me. It was tough and hilly. It was a hard race for everyone. In the end I won by six seconds and I was thrilled with that, as a big number of the top British runners were in the field."
It was in those type of conditions that he won his first national title on the shores of Lake O'Flynn in Co. Roscommon back in 1994.
He had the world at his feet that day, but he was beset by back problems that all but ruined his career over the intervening years.
Last year, however, he discovered the cause of the problem and is now working on building up the muscles around a partially collapsed disc.
"If the treatment is successful then I will obviously be returning to track racing and if not it will be cross-country."
Power, the defending champion, was watching from the sidelines as Matthews won his second national inter-clubs title last February.
The Clareman went down with a stomach bug that was rampant throughout the country at that particular time. It hit him the night before the race.
They will clash for the first time since then in Ballyhaise on Sunday week when Power will be looking for a fourth national inter-counties title in a row.
He was back running yesterday for the first time since the 98 FM Dublin Marathon.
He had conceded victory but was a clear second when he collapsed with the finish line just around the corner. "I still don't know what happened," he reflected. "At 20 miles I honestly thought I was going to win the race.
"John Mutai had a lead of a minute and half up to that point. But Joshua Kipkemboi and I chased him down.
"Then my legs began to go after 23 miles and I suppose I should really have pulled out at 24. But I was a clear second and there was a prize of £3,000 for that."
"I was still OK until 26 miles. It was then that I felt dizzy and the next thing I was in the ambulance.
"It did not affect me mentally or anything like that. It all happened so suddenly. Obviously I was going to be disappointed. I had been hoping to win the race.
"But right now I am looking forward to my next marathon. I still have to discuss it with my coach, Ritchie Clifford, but I think it may be London in April. It would be nice to get a qualifying standard for the world championships there."
Places on the Irish team for the European championships on December 13 will be decided in Ballyhaise.
Two years ago in Brussels he finished 13th while, last year, Peter Matthews was 16th in Portugal.
Now Matthews has set himself a place in the top six as a target.
The national inter-counties championship is the only title to elude him so far and he wants to put that record straight.

Take Romeos Dream

ROMEOS DREAM, successful at Cork in September in 29.73., has a chance to get back to winning form in the fourth race at the same venue this evening.
In her most recent run, Romeos Dream was beaten six and a half lengths into fifth place in 29.73, but did not have the clearest of runs from trap 3. With the inside berth this evening she must have a great chance if she can avoid trouble on the run to the bend,
However, this is a tricky contest, with a number of runners capable of taking the honours.
Travara Bawnie ran an excellent race last time out when a six lengths second in 29.62., on a track that was rated .20 slow. Favourably drawn in trap 5, this one is sure to run a big race.
Another who is not without a chance, on his best form, is New Liberty who has finished third in his last two outings in fast time.
Romeos Dream gets a cautious vote to get home in front.

Selections
1st Race. Matties Primrose (Rebeccas Gigolo).
2nd Race. Miss Hannon (Lowland Brogeen).
3rd Race, Diamond Baby (Witches Shergar).
4th Race. Romeos Dream (Travara Bawnie).
5th Race. West Cork Bank (Right Black).
6th Race. Helenas Moss (Little Rodent).
7th Race. Killahora Lass (Black Mission).
8th Race, Sunset Blackbird (Battle At Dawn).
8.00 - 525: Matties Primrose, Iona Darkie, Black Review, Rebeccas Gigolo,Tona Girl, Im Linda.
525: Move Over Zito, Kilcaroon Duke, Express Hostess, Miss Hannon, Lowland Brogeen, Dawstown Birch.
300: Runaway Light, Kearneys Ranger, Roses Tide, Witches Shergar, Diamond Baby.
525: Romeos Dream, New Liberty, Bandon Gesture, Brogan Boot, Travara Bawnie, Choice Buster.
525: Right Black, Longridge Alpine, White Bliss, Pluckanes Chief, Go Go Buddy, West Cork Bank.
525: Lowland Shoe, Glanmore Saxo, Downhill Daisy, Myross Mistake, Little Rodent, Helenas Moss.
525: Boola Maid, Newroad Bluebell, Tiger Verdict, Killahora Lass, Black Mission, Flyaway Beauty.
525: Gowla Bridge, Sunset Blackbird, Meadow Sweet, Susans Raven, Battle At Dawn, Nissan Angel.
Floating Reserves. (a). Caha Queen. (b). Daleridge Beauty. (c). Annas Ranger. (d). Ring Dowry. (e). McCarthys Hotel. (f). Jamie Piptail. (g). Gleaming Snipe. (h). Derrycool Tip. (i). Beat Them Honey. (j). Perkies Image. (k). Castleroad Toss. (l). Cloud Castle.

Facelift for Fairyhouse will cost £8·1m

FAIRYHOUSE is to spend £8·1 million on a new grandstand and in transforming its facilities.
Work will start immediately after the Irish Grand National meeting next Easter and it will be completed by the end of October.
Frank O'Reilly, chairman of the Co. Meath course, said yesterday: "Our objective is to retain racing and equestrianism as key activities to the future development of Fairyhouse. We also wish to prepare a flexible development strategy, in consultation with local government, based on the master development plan for the area.
"This will provide a recreational and amenity infrastructure for the local population and visitors alike."
O'Reilly was referring to his plans for further development of the area around the course.
The Meath County Council is to designate 500 acres of land as a special region for sport and recreation. But the main effort, and the bulk of the money, will go on rebuilding the grandstand. This will be a three-storey, 14-bay building which will be linked to the existing Jameson stand.
It will have a viewing capacity for 9,000 spectators and a floor area of 3,500 square metres.
There will also be a new centrally-(
located weighroom, the parade ring will be moved, new saddling boxes and extra stabling will be built and there will be a new entrance pavilion. In addition there will be a new watering system with its own reservoir and the car parks will be upgraded.
Planning permission was granted last month when Fairyhouse also applied for permission to build a 60-bedroom hotel.
This will be built to the south-west of the course and will cost in the region of £6·5 million.
More immediately, prize money for the two-day Hatton's Grace Hurdle meeting at the end of the month will be increased by nearly 20% to £225,000.

Calder Queen tops sales at 4,100gns

by Tom Higgins
JOHN O'CONNOR'S (Upton) Calder Queen, who won the final of the Sir Grand and Always Good Stakes at Cork recently and is undefeated in her seven races, realised the top price of 4,100 guineas at the Cork Greyhound Sales yesterday. She was knocked down to Walthamstow trainer John Sherry after recording the fastest time in the pre-sales trials, 29.78.
The next best price was 3,000gns which London buyer Kenny Walker laid out to get Lake Success, who had carded 29.82 prior to the sales.
Tipperary agent Con O'Sullivan parted with 2,300gns to secure Jackys Prince, while local agent Michael A Walsh, who was very active throughout, bid 1,400 guineas for Master of All and also paid 1,000 guineas for Top Four.
Borna Bond and Borna Peg were each sold for 1,250 guineas, going to Portsmouth trainer Bill Black and John Sherry, respectively.

Details (in guineas).
J. O'Connor's bd.b. July '97 Calder Queen (Mountleader Peer-Mystical Jewel) to J. Sherry 4,100.
Master P. Healy's bk.w.d. April '97 Lake Success (Tip Top-Lake Taz) to K. Walker 3,000.
Miss. T. Quirke's f.d. March '97 Jackys Prince (Come On Ranger-Kilmacsimon Baby) to C. O'Sullivan 2,300.
T. O'Donoghue's bd.d. March '97 Master of All (Amidus Slippy-Last of All) to M.A.Walsh 1,400.
R. Dwan's f.d. April '97 Borna Bond (Droopys Fintan-Borna Walk) to B. Black 1,250.
M. Dwan's bd.w.b. April '97 Borna Peg (Frightful Flash-Pegs Purse) to J. Sherry 1,250.
A. Fitzgerald's bd.b. April '97 Clonpriest Chick (Come On Ranger-Church Towne) to J. Sherry 1,200.
D. Barry's w.bk.d April '97 True Reckless (Im His-Reckless Judy) to J. Pomeroy 1,150.
B. Kelleher's bd.d. March '97 Top Four (Trade Official-Worth Knowing) to M.A. Walsh 1,000.
J. Terry's dk.bd.d. Nov. '96 Miracle Magic (Leaders Best-Narabane Gosh) 1,000.
J. Morgan's bd.d. March '97 Rathroon Rock (Come On Ranger-Kilmacsimon Baby) to M.A.Walsh 950.
P. Moore's dk.bd.d. March '97 Big Danger (Trade Official-Lar na Coillte) to C. O'Sullivan 900.
J. O'Brien's bd.d. March '97 Belindas Rebel (Boyne Walk-Belindas Model) to H. Sager 800.
C. Humphries f.b. July '97 Chadwell Lulu (Mustang Jack-Slippery Moth) to S. Kennett 800.
M. Ryan's w.be.b. July '97 Hello Ann (Druids Wally-Hello Tuddle) to B. Black 750.
T. Long's b.d. March '97 Dilton Lane (Phantom Flash-Deckies Dimple) to P. Landles 650.
Mrs. K. Burchell's f.b. June '97 Rineen Rascal (Citizen Rascal-Signal Maeve) to J. Sherry 700.
D. Mullins' w.bd.b. June '97 Creamery Sally (Mustang Jack-Creamery Time) to S. Kennett 650.
C. Jordan's w.be. b. July '97 Wingless Angel (Minnies Poacher-Monas Joy) to B. Black 600.
T. Long's w.bk.b. March '97 Dilton Snowy (Phantom Flash-Deckies Dimple) to B. Black 650.
D. Hourihane's bd.b. April '97 Coronea Quest (Mountleader Peer-Knockomagh Star) to B. Black 600.
M. Ryan's w.bd.b. July '97 Hello Molly (Druids Wally-Hello Tuddle) to J. Naughton 600.
T. Dillane's f.b. June '97 Stacks Lass (Longvalley Manor-Laka Fawn) to B. Black 550.
D. O'Connor's f.b. June '97 Lotto Gold (Citizen Rascal-Sit Flat) to M. A. Walsh 520.
T. Gilbourne's be.d. Jan. '97 Gulleen Oscar (Deenside Spark-Gulleen Misty) to L. Wilkinson 520.
C. Kelleher's f.d. Jan. '97 Riverstick Rebel (Brookview Mover-Riverstick Girl) to S. Kennett 500.
T. Gilbourne's dk.bd.d. Jan. '97 Jumbo (Deenside Spark-Gulleen Misty) to S. Kennett 500.
M. Walsh's w.f.d. Aug. '96 Aghavrin King (Lissarda Gold-Springville Ann) to P. Landles 500.

All For Max may have the edge

by Pat Keane
THE experienced All For Max can land the Down District Council Future Champion Novice 'Chase at Downpatrick this afternoon.
The nine-year-old has won once over fences, at Cork back in June, and indicated at Punchestown last time that another visit to the number one berth was imminent!
At Punchestown, the selection ran well in a three mile handicap, under the steadier of 11-12. Indeed, he looked the likely winner before the last, but was outstayed on the flat and beaten a head by Inniscein, who was in receipt of 20lbs.
The form, admittedly, is ordinary, but still seems to give All For Max a definite edge in this class.
Celtic Minstrel, the mount of Charlie Swan, gets the vote to take the opening Bet With The Tote Maiden Hurdle.
He ran solid races behind Crystal Springs at Listowel and Camden Times at Down Royal and warmed up for this when sixth to Wicklow Way in a 14 furlongs handicap at the Curragh last Friday.
Blackburn gets the nod to defy top weight in the Hospitality Association of Northern Ireland Handicap Hurdle.
The Roselier gelding stayed on dourly to score by five and a half lengths at Clonmel last week. He has to have every chance of defying a mandatory 4lbs penalty.
The dropped-in-class Nicky Dicky rates the safest wager in the Bumper. She was in a different league when a creditable fifth to Jim Dreaper's well regarded newcomer, Sober Vision, at Punchestown.