Four in battle to succeed Bailey

A forecast of high winds and rain may make an indoor arena such as the Dublin county board offices at Parnell Park a potentially more appetising venue than the pitches which will stage "secondary" competitions around the country this weekend.

But, for four men, Aras Atha Cliath - which plays host to the annual Dublin county convention today (2.0) - presents the prospect of high temperatures and a close battle that will be decided by the ballot box and not by footballing or hurling endeavour.

Con Clarke, who is a former chairman, John Egan, Jim Roche and Willie Roche are the four protagonists seeking to take over the chairmanship from John Bailey, who stands down after five years in the hot-seat.

Whoever succeeds will take over a board with debts amounting to £1 million, created by the development of Parnell Park, in Donnycarney, into an 11,000-capacity ground. "If I never achieved anything else in my life, I'm happy to have completed the Parnell Park project," said Bailey, who added that there is a huge task in front of the incoming administration if they are to maintain the GAA's attractiveness in the capital.

"There is a great need for people from the business world to be brought on to fundraising and promotional committees. We are now in the era of expertise and we must call on those experts to give us all the professional advice as the challenge from soccer and rugby becomes more professionally marketed by the day," he added.

Apart from clearing off the debt on Parnell Park, the incoming chairman will have to oversee the continued development of Gaelic games in a county that demands success. Yet, the quest for the hot-seat has attracted four strong candidates, and Clarke (O'Tooles), Egan (Clanna Gael Fontenoy), Jim Roche (Whitehall Colmcilles) and Willie Roche (St Anne's, Bohernabreena) are expected to undergo a close contest.

Meanwhile, onfield matters around the country are taken up with secondary football competitions, with the new experimental rules in operation. Dublin manager Tommy Carr has made four changes - with Mick Pender, Keith Galvin, Keith Barr and Damien O'Brien called in to the side - for the O'Byrne Cup quarter-final match with Laois at St Margaret's tomorrow. Laois are without regular midfielder Noel Garvan, who is replaced by dual player Declan Rooney.

Meath and Wicklow replay their O'Byrne Cup game at Pairc Tailteann today, with the winners meeting Carlow, while the KildareLouth match has been switched to Ballymore-Eustace from original venue Newbridge.

Kildare will field a largely experimental side. Several panel members, including Emmet Mulhall, Liam Ryan and Brian Moylan, will start their first competitive game. Anthony Rainbow will partner Dermot Earley in an unusual midfield partnership.

In Munster, tomorrow's McGrath Cup matches see Clare taking on Limerick at Carron and Tipperary meeting Waterford in Ardfinnan.

The Connacht League also continues. Leitrim face Galway at Cloone, while Mayo, with Ray Dempsey returning after a year's absence, take on Roscommon at Ballyhaunis.