Limerick divided again as dual players opt for hurling

LIMERICK: The dual-player controversy is set to again divide Limerick GAA, sparking fears that the county's football renaissance could be halted.

Mickey Ned O'Sullivan, the new football manager, has arranged a first meeting with his squad for Saturday but will be told he must plan for 2006 without the services of Mike O'Brien, Mark Riordan and Conor Fitzgerald, and possibly Brian Begley and Stephen Lucey.

The first three have, according to hurling manager Joe McKenna, given him total commitment

Begley, out of action for two years, is recovering from an operation to a leg injury and is unsure he will be available in the coming season.

Lucey has yet to make up his mind.

John Galvin, father of the county star of the same name and incoming chairman of the county football board, said he was both surprised and disappointed.

"I met two of the players concerned last week and both told me they would continue in a dual capacity. If all were to leave the football squad, as suggested, of course it would be a major setback as we're not exactly overladen with football talent in Limerick. I have not given up hope and we will be talking to the players concerned. Our first training session is planned for next Wednesday and we will take it from there."

County board chairman Denis Holmes said he was not surprised at the decision of Riordan and O'Brien to specialise - "Their preferred number-one option has always been hurling" - but agreed their loss would be a major blow.

There had, he said, been a resurgence in Limerick football during the Liam Kearns reign, "and all must strive to keep it that way".

ULSTER CLUB FC: St Gall's and Carrickmore will be without their inspirational captains when they meet in Sunday's Ulster club football championship game at Casement Park.

St Gall's captain Seán Kelly has a fractured collarbone, while the man he would have been marking, Brian Gormley, has a knee injury. While Gormley has been struggling for some time, the loss of Kelly in last Sunday's county final is an unexpected blow for St Gall's.

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Kathleen Kane has stepped down as manager of the Sligo women's football team. Kane led Sligo to successive All-Ireland junior finals in 2004 and again this year, losing both. She has been involved with every Sligo women's junior side for more than 12 years.