Meyler to entice dual players back to hurling

ALL-IRELAND SFC SEMI-FINAL: STRANGE THAT in the week leading up to the biggest football match in modern Wexford GAA history the lure of hurling, the county's primary Gaelic game, is put back on the agenda. Wexford hurling manager John Meyler has stated his intention to approach former dual players Brian Malone, Redmond Barry and Ciarán Lyng ahead of next season.

All three players won All-Ireland intermediate hurling medals with Wexford last year but opted to concentrate on football. Despite a poor showing in the Leinster final against Dublin, Jason Ryan's panel beat Down and Ulster champions Armagh to make Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin's conquerors Tyrone.

"I'm a hurling person but it's great to see the footballers there," said Meyler. "We brought the three of them in last year for the intermediate hurlers and I wanted them for the seniors this year and I thought I'd get them in.

"But there was a conflict between hurling and football with O'Byrne and Walsh Cup pre-season games and the problem arises when you have fellas wanted by both panels. It's impossible now to manage a lad at both levels but I'd love to have Brian, Red Barry, Lyng and Rory Stafford."

The attraction of hurling would be strong for Lyng, who comes from decent pedigree; his brother Diarmuid is a prominent member of the county side.

"Cork would have fellas like that too, good dual players, and it's no coincidence the counties going for three-in-a-row, Kerry and Kilkenny, are 'one-code' counties," added Meyler, who if he had his way would have even the county's greatest footballer, Matty Forde, taking up the small ball at intercounty level: "Matty Forde would be a great full or corner forward in hurling. He's six-foot-three and I'd love to have him in there alongside Stephen Banville."

Tyrone forward Colm Cavanagh has returned to training early from a broken collarbone sustained in the qualifier victory over Westmeath last month.

Wexford and Tyrone line-ups are expected to be announced tomorrow evening, with Cavanagh, a brother of full forward Seán, likely to be held in reserve.

Meanwhile, the Gaelic Players Association have praised the decision of Armagh's Steven McDonnell to turn down an undisclosed yet "lucrative deal" with a rival sports-drink company in support of the GPA sponsor.

"I would like to praise Steven for his decision and I think it sends a very positive signal to all players," said chief executive Dessie Farrell. "In October every county player will receive government funding. That reward didn't come out of the blue; it was achieved because an intense campaign was spearheaded by GPA officers with the support of the staff. Without these structures, there would be no voice for players."

There followed a list of prominent GPA members lauding the sacrifice made by McDonnell. This included the chairman of the players' body, Donal Óg Cusack: "The strength of our sponsorship is a vital component in our ongoing negotiations with Croke Park. Public shows of support by players will help secure the future of the GPA by strengthening our hand in those negotiations."

The GPA are seeking official recognition from the GAA before the end of 2008 and negotiations will recommence once the All-Ireland finals are concluded next month.