GAELIC GAMES: In his first speech to Congress as GAA president, Nickey Brennan spoke about the threat to Gaelic Games from other sports. Yesterday Brennan confirmed the association is prepared to do battle with the marketing monster that is this summer's soccer World Cup.
Speaking at the launch of the new Ariel Championship Bright promotion, Brennan noted the first direct use of players by the GAA in marketing campaigns had already begun on radio and television.
"You may even have noticed, certainly on the radio side, we have started our campaign using players, called the 'Unrivalled' campaign. We started on television with the football. Hurling should follow soon.
"This is using our own players to promote our games as unrivalled games. Rivals in terms of teams playing one other and unrivalled in terms of the product that we are offering.
"We will be putting out that campaign strongly during the World Cup, because we recognise it as a major sporting attraction. We'll all be looking at it; I'll be looking at it when I get a chance. I might not have too much time, but I have no problem from that perspective. We have to push our own games during that period."
Brennan also identified the need to restructure the championship, with added emphasis on changing the hurling qualifiers and the National League format, ahead of next October's Special Congress. Brennan has been a strong advocate of moving the National League back to its traditional slot before Christmas.
"I certainly expressed a wish that it be explored. I think it's a possibility. I wouldn't have a problem with it now. I have an open mind on it. The first thing relating to the National League is we will see an overhaul, especially to the hurling and probably the National League.
"They need a bit of looking at, particularly hurling. It has gone very stale. It is unexciting. We need to get the top teams playing one another.
"All due respect to managers," Brennan continued, "the majority of them have players out training in September. Probably playing challenge matches in November and December that may not get any great publicity, but they are happening behind closed doors."
Brennan welcomed Kildare's pursuit of due process through the GAA disciplinary systems over the alleged use of a sixth substitute by Offaly in the Leinster football quarter-final on May 28th.
"I don't have a problem with someone going to the DRA to get clarification, because it is an interpretation issue as much as anything else. We all know the principle of what should be happening, but when it comes down to putting something on paper it can become rather legal. The DRA will put a legal definition on it that will help the process going forward.
"I want to emphasise responsibility is entirely with the counties. That has been stated before, but I would like to state that again."
Brennan had been informed that the fourth official during that game, Pierce Freaney, did not give an interpretation on the blood-substitution rule. But when told yesterday that Freaney did state he was "120 per cent" certain Offaly had not done anything wrong, he replied, "That was an interpretation he gave on the matter. I was told afterwards he didn't give an interpretation. If he did give an interpretation, it wasn't his prerogative to give an interpretation."
Meanwhile, in team news, Offaly manager John McIntyre has selected Dylan Hayden at midfield for the Leinster hurling semi-final against Wexford this Sunday in Nowlan Park. The only change from the team that beat Laois in the quarter-final sees Declan Tanner demoted to the bench and Ger Oakley switched from midfield to wing back.
Brian Whelahan (shoulder) and Damien Murray (ankle) are carrying knocks but should be among the substitutes.
Limerick have made one change from the opening round victory over Clare for Sunday's Munster football semi-final against Cork with Eoin Keating coming in for Pat Ahearne. Muiris Gavin has failed to recover from injury but is handed a replacements jersey.
Cork must plan without an ever present forward from last season in John Hayes but they do retain the bones of the team that reached the All-Ireland semi-final. Nemo Rangers' Derek Kavanagh captains the side from midfield, where he is selected alongside regular partner Nicholas Murphy.
Westmeath have named the side which defeated Dublin for Saturday's Leinster SHC semi-final clash with Kilkenny.
OFFALY (SH v Wexford): B Mullins; B Teehan, P Cleary, D Franks; K Brady, R Hannify, G Oakley; G Hannify, D Hayden; M Cordial, M O'Hara, B Murphy; B Carroll, J Bergin, A Hanrahan.
WESTMEATH (SH v Kilkenny): M Brody; C Jordan, C Murtagh, P Greville; J Shaw (c), D McCormack, N Gavin; B Connaughton, E Loughlin; G Gavin, B Murtagh, A Mitchell; B Kennedy, D McNicholas, J Clarke.
CORK (SF v Limerick): A Quirke; K O'Connor, G Canty, A Lynch; N O'Leary, G Spillane, S Levis; N Murphy, D Kavanagh (capt); C McCarthy, D Niblock, K McMahon; J Masters, F Goold, K O'Sullivan.
LIMERICK (SF v Cork): S Kiely; S Gallagher, J McCarthy, P Browne; C Mullane, S Lavin, A Lane; J Stokes, J Galvin; E Keating, D Reidy, S Buckley; M Crowley (capt), J Murphy, M Reidy.
All-Ireland SFC First round qualifier games - Saturday, June 17th
Navan Louth v Tyrone ... 3.30pm
Clones Monaghan v Wicklow ... 3.30pm
Mullingar Westmeath v London ... 7pm
Casement Park Antrim v Clare ... 4pm
Markievicz Park Sligo v Down ... 7pm
Walsh Park Waterford v Longford ... 2pm
Sunday, June 18th
Newbridge/Tullamore Kildare/Offaly v Cavan ... 3.30pm
Dr Cullen Park Carlow v Meath ... 4pm
