Gaelic Games News round-upGalway Football County Board chairman Pat Egan has vehemently denied that an approach was made to Mick O'Dwyer to take over the Tribesmen.

Egan was responding to a story in this week's Tuam Herald where it was stated that an approach had been made to the former Kerryman when he stepped down as Laois coach.

"There is no substance to that. Nobody acting of behalf of Galway Football Board made any approach to Mick O'Dwyer.

"If anybody went to him or a representative of his, then they did so without the knowledge or approval of Galway Football Board.

"As far as we are concerned, Peter Ford is our manager for next year and that is the way it has been all along," said Egan.

However, the story has emerged at a particularly awkward time as Galway football board and Ford attempt to finalise a deal for next year.

Ford and his new selectors - Salthill's Eoin O'Donnellan and Peter Warren, who was part of John O'Mahony's successful backroom team - were due to be ratified at a meeting on Wednesday night.

The matter was the first item on the agenda but it was not discussed when delegates were told Ford was not in attendance.

The Galway Football Board say he was not able to attend the meeting, but it is known that issues are still outstanding between Ford and the board and this was the reason the matter was not discussed.

Efforts are to continue over the coming days to resolve the remaining differences between the parties, but it is still far from certain that Ford, who is declining to comment, will be in charge for 2007.

New Galway hurling manager Ger Loughnane has lined up 65 players for a winter training programme which will start next month. Loughnane and his selectors - Brendan Lynskey, Seán Treacy and Michael Murray - met on Wednesday night and set Tuesday, November 7th, as the start date for the training programme.

Galway Hurling Board secretary John Fahey confirmed: "Ger and his selectors have set out a training programme which will get under way in November. They have identified 65 players they want to have a look at and they will take it from there." .

Meanwhile, Armagh forward Brian Mallon has been ruled out for six months after sustaining a knee injury in pre-season training last Sunday.

Mallon, who also plays soccer for Glenavon, will learn in the coming weeks if he requires an operation that would see him miss Armagh's National League campaign.