Galway football final to go ahead

The Galway senior football final will take place next Sunday after no evidence was offered to back up allegations that a player from Carna-Cashel was ineligible for the county semi-final. A spokesperson for the Galway football board has confirmed the decider between Salthill-Knocknacarra and Carna-Cashel will go ahead as planned at Pearse Stadium.

This is the first time that Carna-Cashel have reached the senior final, however, subsequent to their semi-final win over Glenamaddy, an anonymous letter was circulated claiming one of the Carna-Cashel's players might be ineligible. The letter was sent to the Glenamaddy club, but they decided not to pursue an appeal.

The allegation concerned one player who, it is claimed, played in the London championship this year. The Galway football board spokesperson said that, while he was aware of a letter being sent, the board had not received a complaint from any of the parties involved. "The county final will go ahead as planned next Sunday. There have been no complaints," he added.

Salthill-Knocknacarra, beaten in last year's final, are the red-hot favourites following their semi-final win over Caltra.

Meanwhile, the Limerick County Board expects to announce its senior hurling team selectors for next season at the weekend, and sources say that Liam Lenihan and Ger Cunningham will both be reappointed.

Cunningham replaced Declan Nash when the latter quit prior to the AllIreland qualifiers. Lenihan also served as selector in the Tom Ryan era. Joe McKenna was confirmed as manager last month.

Finally, the GAA's decision to make a payment of €10,000 to Down to compensate for the timing error in the Christy Ring Cup final has been welcomed by Westmeath - the team that beat them in the historic clash.

Yesterday, Westmeath chairman Séamus Whelan said he was "delighted that Down have got this payment".

"I am an advocate of the Christy Ring Cup. I now see young people with hurleys on the street in Westmeath where I never saw them before. I sincerely hope Down get to win the Christy Ring Cup next year."