Kearns to stay with Limerick

GAELIC GAMES: Liam Kearns is to stay on as Limerick senior football manager for another season.

The uncertainty surrounding Kearns's future was finally dispelled late last night and an official statement is expected to be issued this morning.

While informed sources in the county were earlier yesterday divided as to what would happen - some saying Kearns would stay, while others adamant he was on his way out after the 2004 season ended in frustration with defeat in the Munster final replay to Kerry and All-Ireland Qualifiers to Derry - Kearns ended the speculation last night by ringing the county's intercounty players to inform them of his decision to stay at the helm.

There were rumours that Kearns could step aside in favour of Galway, where the vacancy created by John O'Mahony's resignation has yet to be filled.

With the Limerick manager now out of the running, former Mayo full back and Sligo boss Peter Ford is the firm favourite to take over the position vacated by O'Mahony.

Kearns confirmed last night that Limerick football board PRO John Ryan would issue a statement this morning.

The Limerick boss was bitterly disappointed at not winning a Munster title this season, when Limerick held big leads in the drawn and replayed provincial deciders against Kerry.

The long-standing difficulties over dual players look to be still on the horizon. It is believed a number of players - including Conor Fitzgerald and Brian Begley - are contemplating a return to the hurling panel for 2005. Kearns's decision to stay on for another year may, however, influence some of the dual players to also stick with intercounty football for 2005.

Kearns, who led Limerick to a Munster under-21 football title and an All-Ireland final appearance against Tyrone, was driven by the prospect of guiding the team to the county's first Munster senior title in over 100 years.

Galway's position is less clear. The football board delegates meet next week, and at that meeting the names of the people nominated will be identified. A committee - including chairman Pat Egan, secretary John Power, and vice-chairman John Joe Holleran - will be appointed to sift through the nominations and set up interviews.

It could be another five weeks before Galway finalise their appointment, but with the national leagues not set to start until the New Year, there is no immediate urgency.

Meanwhile, the Gaelic Players' Association yesterday claimed victory in the dispute over Paul Flynn's endorsement of Lucozade Sport - but the conflict may not be fully resolved yet.

Waterford hurler Flynn was part of an ongoing GPA campaign to promote Club Energise earlier this year, but recently signed up to promote Lucozade Sport, a rival sports energy drink.

The GPA yesterday issued a statement welcoming Flynn's "intention to withdraw his commitment to Lucozade Sport in favour of supporting the GPA-endorsed Club Energise product".

The statement said: "Flynn has now indicated that he will not be endorsing, supporting or promoting the Lucozade brand in any capacity."

But it may not be as simple as that as Lucozade Sport say they have signed up Flynn, and other GAA stars, until October 2005.

The promotional shots for the Lucozade Sport campaign have not yet been taken, but it was interesting that the GPA only welcomed Flynn's "intention to withdraw" from Lucozade Sport.

It did not say he had managed to extricate himself from his contract with Lucozade Sport. It did not clarify if the promotional shots of Flynn would be used to promote Lucozade Sport.

It also stated that his intention to withdraw followed discussions with the GPA.

Flynn is a member of the GPA, and between four and five cent of every bottle of Club Energise sold in Ireland goes directly to the GPA. His support for Lucozade Sport represented a clear conflict with his GPA membership.

Jocelyn Emerson, head of nutritional marketing at Glaxo Smith Kline, the parent company of Lucozade Sport, issued the following statement last night: "Paul Flynn is one of a growing number of sports stars who have signed contracts to promote Lucozade Sport on television, print advertising, at point-of-sale, and on posters.

"The inclusion of these stars supplements Lucozade Sport's commitment to supporting 25 counties. All the stars have pledged their ability to carry out promotional work with Lucozade Sport until October 2005."

Said GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell: "The GPA commends Paul for this display of solidarity and we look forward to his continued endorsement and support for Club Energise.

"Club Energise has enjoyed a high degree of visibility throughout the championship series, with players actively consuming the product on the field of play and during post-match media interviews.

"This proactive support demonstrates the players' commitment to a 100-per-cent Irish product that is directly supporting their collective cause and a lucrative scholarship programme.

"As a member of the GPA and one of Ireland's top hurlers, Paul Flynn is an excellent ambassador for Club Energise, the players' choice."

Flynn could not be contacted for comment last night.