Gilroy and Daly receive Costello's backing

WHEN QUESTIONED yesterday about the imminent report cards due on both the hurling and football seasons, Dublin’s GAA chief John Costello gave his full support to first year managers Anthony Daly and Pat Gilroy.

Dublin’s hurling season ended in disappointment with a lacklustre defeat to Limerick in Thurles in the All-Ireland quarter-finals, a result that lost further respectability after their victors’ collapse against Tipperary in the semi-final. But, after beating Wexford and contesting the Leinster final with Kilkenny, there was no serious examination required of Daly’s credentials.

“Yes, Anthony will be at the helm again next year,” said Costello at the launch of the Kilmacud Crokes Meteor hurling sevens. “We agreed at county committee last year that Anthony Daly would be in charge for two years.

“We are delighted with the progress we made this year. We retained our Division One status, reached a Leinster hurling final and perhaps didn’t perform to our ability against Limerick.

“We were disappointed to lose to Limerick in the qualifier for the All-Ireland semi-final, so next year is a matter of building on that success and going a step further. He was given two years at the outset so it was never in doubt whatsoever.”

Gilroy was also hired on a two -year term but fell some way short of achieving the initial target of an All-Ireland final – something Dublin footballers have failed to do since 1995.

“I have talked to Pat and he is going to talk to the management committee at a subsequent meeting.

“The game against Kerry was a disappointment to everyone. Pat will have to sit down with his selectors and his squad and report to the management committee and county committee and we’ll take it from there. We would expect him to stay on, absolutely.

“He was appointed for a two-year term. Pat will be there at the helm in 2010.”

The long-standing sponsorship arrangement with Arnotts concludes at the end of October but Costello, despite the current financial climate, is confident an improved deal can be reached with new sponsors by November 1st.

Negotiations are being dealt with solely by the Dublin County Board with one major agreement, as opposed to separate arrangements for hurling and football, the stated target.

“We are currently putting a package together and we will shortly go to market. There has been some considerable interest in our proposal. This is the first time in the last 20 years, practically, for this sponsorship to become available. We are delighted to offer it.

“We know that our brand is one of the biggest sporting brands in the country. Our market research tells us that.”

The 37th All-Ireland hurling sevens competition takes place in Glenalbyn, Stillorgan on Saturday September 5th.

Forty senior clubs from 12 counties will compete over 50 games, played at six venues around the south Dublin area. Group games begin at 10.30am with the final throw-in scheduled for approximately 6.45pm at the Kilmacud Crokes home ground of Páirc de Burca.

Meanwhile, the GAA have named Galway dual player Alan Kerins’ African Projects as their charity of the year for 2009/10.

Founded in 2005, the project aims to develop independent sustainability in Zambia using a 10 year plan that includes creating a multi-purpose centres to engage the people in sport, trade and basic education.