League final date will not be changed

The National Football League final will go ahead as planned in Croke Park on April 23rd despite the clash with rugby's European Cup semi-final between Leinster and Munster at Lansdowne Road.

It had been speculated the GAA might move the fixture just as happened when a programme of league matches was brought forward to avoid a clash with the 2003 Grand Slam decider between Ireland and England.

But it was always a long shot that a national final would be moved, especially as dates are at a premium with the championship starting within five weeks and the weekend in question is that of the annual congress in Killarney.

"It's an unfortunate clash of events," said GAA spokesperson Fergal McGill, "but we're talking about a national final and I can't really see any change. In the past we've had clashes with friendly internationals and soccer testimonials. There's not a lot that can be done in these situations."

Meanwhile, the National Football League clears the decks for the weekend's final programme of matches with the one outstanding fixture being played this evening in Ballyshannon. It's the Division Two A fixture between Donegal and Longford, which was postponed amid controversy over home venue last month. Promotion is still on the cards for both teams although the timing of the refixture isn't great from Longford's point of view coming after Sunday's Leinster under-21 final defeat by Laois.

Throughout the campaign manager Luke Dempsey has placed great emphasis on blooding the under-21s and making the trip for this evening's match (6.15pm) will be a struggle.

A win for Donegal will virtually assure the team of a swift return to Division One even though they have a top-of-the-table denouement with Roscommon next Sunday, given their big scoring difference.

This evening sees the return of Brian Roper to the home team's starting line-out for the first time this season and after the most recent outing, a comfortable dispatch of the division's only other unbeaten team, Limerick, Donegal will be favourites to win and set themselves up for the play-offs as well as promotion.

An event, organised by the Croke Park Museum and entitled "Echoes of Easter Week", will take place on April 18th to commemorate Easter 1916 through music, poetry and a historical lecture focusing on the role played by GAA members in the events of the Rising and its aftermath.

Prof Mike Cronin (Boston College, Dublin and author of Sport and Nationalism in Ireland) will deliver a lecture on the role of the GAA and its members. GAA president Seán Kelly will introduce the events, the Enniskillen Scout Band will provide music and Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh will act as MC for the evening.

Tickets, €15 (adults) and €10 (concessions), are available from the GAA Museum, Croke Park.

The weekend's National Hurling League matches have established Cork as second favourites behind holders Kilkenny. Cork's big win over Wexford leaves them at 3 to 1 ahead of their final match of the regulation series this weekend against Clare. Kilkenny are 6 to 5. Kilkenny, Limerick and Tipperary are already through to the play-off stages.

DONEGAL (SF v Longford): M Boyle; F McGlynn, P Campbell, K Lacey; B Dunnion, B Monaghan, K Cassidy; N Gallagher, B Boyle; C Toye (capt.), C Bonner, R Kavanagh; B Roper, J Gallagher, M Doherty.