Irish GAA

GAA Meeting

The Central Council of the GAA met on Saturday the 29th of July in Dublin. Matters on the agenda for discussion included; the use of sliotars, competition structures and pitch incursions.
The Council restated its position on the use of unofficial sliotars in championship games.
Counties will be asked of their preferred brand of licensed ball and those supplied by the committee will be the only allowed sliotars on the pitch. This requirement enforces that all balls used would have been tested and stamped for their authenticity.
The draft proposals submitted from the Football Task Force and Hurling Development Committee regarding the competition structure within the All Ireland Championship and national leagues are almost completed. The opportunity for counties to review the proposals will be available in the near future.
It was also confirmed at the Central Council’s meeting that Garda presence at the forthcoming games to be played at Croke Park will be increased. There will also be more stewards and a publicity campaign within the Dublin stadium to increase safety awareness. This drive in upping security and increasing awareness will be highlighting the safety issues surrounding pitch invasions by the public.

Limerick Loses its Captain

TJ Ryan has retired from his inter-county hurling career following Limerick’s defeat to Cork in the Guinness All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships.
Ryan has hung up his boots aged 32. He played in both
defence and attack during his twelve year involvement and also led Garyspillane to their
first senior county championship title last year. He was described as a talented and versatile player.