Hanniffy quits intercounty scene

GARY HANNIFFY, the last remaining link to Offaly's 1998 All-Ireland hurling winning team, has announced his retirement from intercounty hurling, aged 31.

The Birr player cited work commitments in Cork and a 260-mile round trip for the past three years as the main reason for his decision to leave Joe Dooley's panel.

"Intercounty is a completely different level of commitment than club all the way through the summer and in and out of the gym. You don't complain about it because you're enjoying it when you're doing it," said Hanniffy who will continue playing at club level.

Meanwhile, the format for a rejuvenated International Rules series should be finalised over the weekend as the GAA await confirmation of late October fixtures from the Australian Football League (AFL). The AFL are keen to host Ireland as part of their 150-year celebrations.

GAA president Nickey Brennan spoke yesterday of his sympathy for John Maughan, who stepped down as Roscommon boss after sustained abuse from supporters.

"First of all I can empathise with John Maughan. I've been there. I think he is a great GAA man and doesn't deserve what happened to him . . . Seán Moran's article in The Irish Times yesterday (Tuesday) summed up a lot of it. I think we have people who are so unreasonable. There is nothing wrong with demanding and expecting high standards but one has to be realistic as well."