Play-off match may not be played until Autumn

This weekend's NHL relegation play-off between Antrim and Kilkenny has been postponed and might not now take place until the Autumn. Due to be played in Parnell Park on Saturday, the fixture was thrown into confusion when the Dublin county board announced that their county ground would not be able to take two matches on the one afternoon due to pitch maintenance and heavy rain and probably not even one hurling match. Parnell Park is also the venue for the All-Ireland under-21 semi-final between Kerry and Armagh.

Amidst speculation that the matter was a bone of contention between Dublin and Kilkenny, both county secretaries denied that there was any problem. The counties are due to meet in the Leinster championship on May 31st at Parnell Park. Dublin's John Costello said that Kilkenny were welcome to use the pitch as soon as it was ready.

"We had it drained and spiked after the Offaly match (Dublin's last NHL fixture) but the sand which is supposed to be brushed into the pitch has been soaked by the heavy rain and the surface isn't good enough for hurling," he said. "We have already had to cancel some of our county championship (football) fixtures due to be played there this weekend. We have offered the venue for any time after this weekend and have invited Kilkenny to train and play a match on it between now and the championship match."

As the Games Administration Committee in Croke Park was unable to secure an alternative venue, the match has been postponed but according to Kilkenny county secretary, fixing a new date may be a problem. "We have no difficulty with Dublin's position, we had the same job done on Nowlan Park and know the situation. But next week is out for us because of domestic fixtures and the week after is only a fortnight before our championship match."

A further complication is pointed out by Antrim county secretary Eamonn McMahon. "That weekend (May 16th and 17th) is one when we have domestic commitments and after that, both counties are involved in the championship possibly until late July, August or even later."

Some good news for the county was confirmed by McMahon, that county hurling manager Sean McGuinness had not resigned but was taking training last night. The story of McGuinness's resignation was triggered by news of a row about club fixtures during the inter-county championship.

"We had to negotiate to get dates that suited everyone but it's been sorted out. The matter is resolved."

After the recent refusals of the Hassett brothers, Mike and Liam, to join the county panel, there was another complication for Kerry football yesterday with the news that Brian Clarke, full forward for most of last year, has declined to rejoin the All-Ireland champions' training panel only weeks after bring dropped from it.

After the recent trial match in the county, Clarke was approached to resume training with Kerry but after it was discovered that he had planned to play in the US this weekend, the player was given an ultimatum to choose between travelling and the panel. As the US trip was a prior commitment, Clarke felt he couldn't cancel his plans.

Contacted yesterday, the player explained his reasons: "I had this trip arranged before the recall to the panel and I wouldn't be prepared to comment any further."

The original dropping of Clarke caused surprise as he had played a starring role in the NFL final success against Cork last May and had started every match up until the All-Ireland final against Mayo. At the time Kerry manager Paidi O Se stressed that the doors weren't being closed on Clarke's future participation.

Meanwhile, the Ulster Council has announced a three-year deal with BBC Northern Ireland and UTV jointly. The arrangement will cover the Ulster senior championships in football and hurling and the McRory Cup senior colleges final. UTV will be the primary broadcaster this year with BBC taking over next year and in 2000. According to a statement released by the Council, the deal will allow both broadcasters increased access to games' coverage.

BBC were the initial holders of the broadcast rights for the Ulster championship and retained the rights between 1990 and '94 with UTV winning the contract since.

Thomas Davis GAA club in Tallaght, Dublin, will be unveiling their new expanded sports facilities at the Kiltipper Road grounds this coming Bank Holiday Monday. The official opening will be undertaken by An Tanaiste Mary Harney TD, immediately following an inter-county football challenge between Galway and Dublin. The women footballers of Dublin and Meath will also play, at 2.30 pm.

Limerick's county board has launched its 1998 promotional pack aimed at primary schools. Last year was the inaugural run for the idea which circulates posters, stickers and collector cards of county players and it proved very successful in promoting the games in schools. The project receives funding from the Mid-Western Health Board, sponsors of the senior county teams, the National Hurling Development Committee and the Limerick county board.

St Jude's club in Templeogue Dublin will have its £1.25 million clubhouse extension opened by GAA President Joe McDonagh this coming Sunday. The complex consists of 10 dressingrooms, a sports hall, a gymnasium, two function rooms, two members' lounges and catering facilities. The occasion will also feature a hurling match between county manager Michael O'Grady's Dublin selection and Kilkenny's Dicksboro. Throw-in is at 2.45.

National football league champions Offaly have their first outing when they travel to Castleblaney on Monday for a challenge game against Monaghan at 3.30 p.m.

A challenge between Dublin and Cavan has been announced to mark the re-opening of Rory O'Moore Park in Belturbet, Cavan, on Saturday May 16th.

Monaghan (SH v Carlow) - O Connell; N McGuigan, D Reilly, K McEntee; P Kelly, D Connolly, D Lally; C Connolly, J Harding; G Sullivan, P Ward, R Healy; H Cullen, M O'Dowd, B Reilly. Subs: S McKiernan, D Hanrahan, L Ward, M Kelly, P Mone, T Gillanders, B McArdle