IN THE middle of what the GAA euphemistically calls its "close season" footballers in Tyrone and Derry find themselves dragged in three directions at the weekend. While some players from the two counties have been selected for the Railway Cup match against Leinster in Navan others are expected to turn out for the O Fiaich Cup final in Crossmaglen, while members of the Carrickmore and Moortown clubs are required for Tyrone's league- final.
The dilemma has been partly solved by the decision to bring forward the league decider to Saturday after- noon, but three players from each county have been selected for Ulster and will not be available for the O Fiaich Cup match.
Brian McEniff is the only provincial manager to have picked his team so far. Leinster, Connacht and Munster make their selections tonight. Mattie Kerrigan, Martin Carney and Paidi O Se are the respective managers of the other three - provinces.
A surprise selection for Ulster is Down forward James McCartan. He has spent much time playing Irish League soccer since last year's championship, although he has now rejoined the Down squad and made himself available for selection.
The Ulster team is made- up of four players from Down, three from Donegal, two each from Tyrone, Derry and Cavan, and one from Monaghan.
Meanwhile the Leinster Council has appointed a three-man management team to take charge of the Leinster hurling team for the Railway Cup semi-final against Connacht on February 25th. Tom Neville, from Wexford, is manager of the team and his assistants and selectors Eddie Keher from Kilkenny and Joachim Kelly from Offaly. As part of their preparations, a Rest of Leinster team will play Offaly in a trial match at Birr on Saturday (2.0).
A bid to bring about an agreement that all Munster hurling finals be held in Semple Stadium will be launched at the annual convention of the Tipperary County Board in Thurles on Sunday.
It seems that long-serving county board secretary, Tommy Barrett has been pushing the idea strongly amongst officials from other counties. Under the heading of "General", Barrett notes that: "During the past 12 months I have spoken to most of the board officers in the other Munster counties. From conversing with them, I have formed the opinion that while they are not - saying it out loud, they concede that all Munster senior hurling finals should be played in Semple Stadium.
"I believe that this could be achieved if a financial arrangement could be agreed with other venues. The unique atmosphere, the access and egress and, above all, the best hurling sod in Ireland are the big advantages. Even if Tipperary had to forego first rounds and semi-finals to achieve this, it is worth pursuing."
Two items on Sunday's agenda are of some interest, insofar as full-time employees of the GAA are concerned. The Aherlow club has tabled two motions proposing changes in rules which would limit the tenure of full-time officers and, specifically, the Director General, to seven years.
There is also a suggestion that the hurling season should be limited to the period between the first Sunday after St Patrick's Day and the first Sunday in September.
Barrett also warns about the- dangers of abandoning the amateur rules of the Association. He says that there have been calls for change and adds: "I believe that this demand for change is being orchestrated by a section of the Press who always seem to highlight issues within our Association. Why I don't know".
