Limerick come full circle over Rule 42

GAA: Limerick officials have completed their U-turn regarding the amendment of Rule 42. Press officer Denis O'Carroll has confirmed that at a recent county board meeting delegates to next month's Congress were told to vote against any motion recommending the opening of Croke Park or any other GAA ground.

"The matter was debated by delegates and there was no support for a motion from Milford club to allow Central Council to permit other sports to be played at the national stadium," O'Carroll said.

Rory Kiely, the chairman of the Senate and the board's representative on Munster Council, together with Eddie Wade, a former Fianna Fáil TD and now chairman of Limerick County Council, spoke against the Milford motion, with a small minority supporting it.

This is a significant blow for those hoping to sway opinion in the coming weeks, as it was Limerick who first went to Congress in 1990 with a motion to have soccer played at GAA grounds.

Back then, the Limerick board wanted to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the siege of the city (1691) by hosting an international between Russia and the Republic of Ireland. Chairman Noel Drumgoole, an All-Ireland finalist with Dublin in 1961, led a delegation that received a mere 10 votes. Again, in 2001, when Rule 42 was debated at Congress, all but one of the Limerick delegates voted to open Croke Park to other sports.

On the playing front, Limerick have been dealt a major blow with the withdrawal of Mark Foley from the team to play Cork in their opening National Hurling League match at Páirc Uí Chaoimh this Sunday.

Elsewhere, Waterford manager John Jackson has named a strong team to face Kilkenny for what they hope will be the start a very productive year. Stalwarts in recent years like David Bennett, Declan Prendergast and goalkeeper Stephen Brenner are among the replacements, as the likes of Michael Walsh and Fergal Hartley come back in. Hartley returns to inter-county hurling after retiring in 2003, while Clinton Hennessy makes his league debut in goal. Eoin Kelly is the new captain.

Wexford hurling manager Séamus Murphy gives debuts to six players for the Division 1B game against Antrim.

Eoin Quigley, who played in last year's championship, Kevin Kavanagh, Diarmuid Lyng, Nigel Higgins, Redmond Barry and Des Mythen are all been handed their first league start.

Meanwhile, Ballina manager Tommy Lyons has opted for Eanna Casey ahead of Patrick McHale in his forward line for this Sunday's All-Ireland club semi-final against Clare champions Kilmurry-Ibrickane at Pearse Park, Galway. Also, Ronan McGarrity has recovered from a hamstring strain, but he is still expected to line out for the town's basketball team on Saturday evening in their crucial push for the play-offs of the Superleague. They face main rivals UCD.

Lyons also came out in defence of McGarrity's midfield partner, David Brady, who opted out of the Mayo football panel in recent weeks in order to focus on the club's All-Ireland run, a decision that brings his inter-county future into doubt.

"He has been misrepresented, as, coming up to Mayo's match against Dublin, he had a back injury and was not training. He has had a long innings with Mayo, almost 10 years, and has been in six or seven All-Ireland finals, losing them all, so he is trying to put that right. It is an unnecessary controversy that should have been dealt with behind closed doors."

Portlaoise, who face Crossmaglen Rangers in the other semi-final at Parnell Park, have slight concerns surrounding Colm Parkinson, Enda Coleman (both hamstrings) and Kevin Fitzpatrick (groin). All are expected to start.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has named the same side that beat Dublin last weekend for this Sunday's McKenna Cup final at Casement Park with Derry, although a doubt surrounds the availability of captain Brian Dooher.

Derry midfielder Patsy Bradley is suspended for 12 weeks after being found guilty of head-butting in the recent match against Fermanagh.