O'Mahony seeks seclusion

Galway manager John O'Mahony sent out a special request to all well-meaning and ardent followers of the county football team before the panel restarted training for the All-Ireland final against Kildare, in Tuam last night.

Training for the squad will alternate between Tuam and Ballinasloe over the next couple of weeks. Sessions, up to a point, will be open to the public but "after that," says O'Mahony, "we will be asking the people to give us a chance to get on with our preparations."

Mahony's attention to detail is never less that total as was noted in previous stewardships that yielded Connacht titles for his native Mayo and Leitrim. The stayaway request is likely to be just that, a request. There is no suggestion that gates will be closed to the fans during any session but O'Mahony's management team will be seeking the co-operation of the fans "during sessions close to the game."

O'Mahony is pleased that club championship quarter-finals within the county have been deferred until after the final.

Last weekend was something of a nightmare for the Galway boss as a result of the decision to allow first-round county championship replays go ahead despite the involvement of many key players from his panel.

An Cheathru Rua, Annaghdown, Kilanin, Killerin, Salthill and Milltown contested the remarkable set of triple firstround replays. Tuam Stars, involving Jarlatah and Kevin Fallon, have gained re-admission to the championship following a first-round controversy and they haved won through to the quarterfinals at the expense of Oranmore.

Given the number of panellists involved in domestic competition last weekend, the risk of injury was huge. Gary Fahy, Kevin Walsh and Richie Fahy were in action for Kilanin. The Joyce brothers, Tommy and Pauric, and Tommy Wilson lined out for Killerin, and Robin Doyle for Salthill.

Four key Cheathru Rua players, on whom Galway hopes rest, also figured in full-blooded championship football. They were wing back Sean Og de Paor, midfielder Sean O Domhnaill, Pat Comer and Kevin McDonagh. In addition, Derek Savage and Fergal Garvan played in the intermediate championship on Saturday. Nevertheless, up to late afternoon yesterday, O'Mahony had not heard of any injury problems.

O'Mahony's respect for Kildare is obvious: "They were very impressive against Kerry, they have worked hard, they have beaten the three last All-Ireland champions, Dublin (1995), Meath (1996) and Kerry. You cant argue with that, can you"?

However, the successful Galway manager doesn't agree with the notion that his team has got it easier than Kildare on the way to the final. "People might say that we had a slightly easier route, but Roscommon and Mayo really put us to the pin of our collar and then Derry did the same in fairness to them as well. We got there eventually and that's what its all about".

If Galway had a choice, would Kildare be their preference as final opponents? "We had no preference," he retorts. "Our attitude is that we are delighted to be in the All-Ireland final and are prepared to take anyone who comes."

The Kildare team will resume training tonight. Midfielder Niall Buckley underwent a scan in hospital to establish the extent of the thigh injury which ruled him out of the semi-final.

However, he is expected to be fit in time for the final against Galway.

Free-taker Padraig Graven, who was hospitalised with concussion following the semi-final, is also expected to be ready in time for the final, leaving Kildare with a clean bill of health.

Meanwhile, Derry football supporters are still in the dark as to the likely personnel of the county team's new management. Unlike other counties, the Derry management is reviewed annually. Brian Mullins's position as manager remains unclear since the semi-final defeat by Galway.

The County Board are due to meet in Dungiven next Tuesday night to have a preliminary look at nominations and applications, according to county chairman Jim McKeever.

The grapevine has it that should Mullins not resume, his co-selectors Anthony McGurk and Frank Kearney will not allow their names go forward for re-election. Last evening McKeever said: "To be quite honest there are no signals plus or minus at this stage."

Under Mullins, Derry won the National League in 1996 and reached this year's final in which they were beaten by Offaly before becoming Ulster champions for the first time since 1993.