GAC decides to wait and see before fixing venues

The Games Administration Committee (GAC) have decided not to fix the All-Ireland club finals venues until after the final pairings are known.

It was decided at their meeting that the situation was "too complicated" to make any definite plan at this stage.

"It was discussed but there were too many possibilities," said GAC chairman Pauric Duffy. "We decided to wait until the final pairings were known because it was too complicated to decide on a suitable venue at this stage."

Thurles has been widely speculated as a possible venue for both of the St Patrick's Day finals, but, as Duffy suggested, that would hardly be ideal for Charlestown of Mayo and Ballinderry of Derry should they get to meet in the football final.

However, the semi-final venues and dates have been decided. If Na Fianna overcome Rathnew in the Leinster football final on Sunday, they will face Ballinderry in Breffni Park.

However, should Rathnew prevail, Ballinderry will meet the new Leinster champions in Longford. In the other semi-final, Charlestown will play Nemo Rangers in Nenagh. Both games will take place on February 24th.

In the hurling, the winners of Birr-Castletown will meet Dunloy in Clones on February 17th, with Ballygunner meeting Clarinbridge in Thurles on the same day.

There is ongoing speculation that Birr's Simon Whelahan may yet play some role in Sunday's Leinster hurling final replay with Castletown. The influential forward is still recovering from an operation following the knee injury suffered in the semi-final win over O'Loughlin Gaels.

Although the medical advice has been not to play, Whelahan has done some light training this week and this suggests that he can't be totally ruled out of some action in Nowlan Park.

TG4 will once again provide live coverage (throw-in 1.30) and the Irish language station has also announced its plans to cover the semi-finals and finals early next year.

In a new departure, they will also be providing viewers with live coverage of one National League match every weekend throughout the spring.

The Gaelic Players' Association confirmed yesterday that, further to a motion passed at their recent a.g.m., the association has taken a significant step towards the appointment of its first paid official.

The appointment of a Chief Administrator will be for an initial period of two years. The association is seeking applications from candidates with an intimate knowledge of Gaelic Games and player issues, strategic sales and marketing ability, management expertise, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Chairman Dessie Farrell commented: "It is a tribute to the massive voluntary effort that has sustained the GPA to date, that we are now in a position to appoint our first paid official. Without the support of members and the generosity of our sponsors, this simply would not be feasible."

Croke Park, meanwhile, was the venue yesterday for the launch of a new CD-Rom coaching manual, which marks a major technological overhaul for coaching within the association.

The GAA's Head of Games Pat Daly described the project as the complete coaching guide and probably the best of its type. "Interactive and e-learning is the future," said Daly, who devised and developed the project.

The main purpose of the CD, he said, is to engender a more balanced approach to coaching: "On the discs you are provided with sections on Developing Technique, Tactical Awareness and Team Play, as well as Psychological Focus, Physical Fitness and Performance Analysis."

The disks - one for football and one for hurling - present the various techniques through animations, voice-overs, diagrams and text. Current Donegal manager Mickey Moran devised the advanced drills, and video clips are used to illustrate the correct techniques.

Initially, the discs are available from the GAA Museum at Croke Park only, priced £35.

Also launched yesterday was the GAA's Underage Strategic Plan, a national coaching template that has also been designed by Daly in conjunction with the National Coaching and Games Development Committee.

The primary aim is the development of the national games into the new millennium.

"The plan aims to maximise participation and maintain optimum playing standards through primary and secondary schools," he said, "as well as coaching academies such as the Schools of Excellence and Development squads.

"We are trying to counter the over-emphasis on physical preparation. It's a matter of getting the balance right."

Bernie O'Connor, father of Cork hurling stars Ben and Ger and who brought Newtownshandrum to the Cork senior hurling title two years ago, has taken over as manager of the Kerry hurling team.

Former Limerick boss Tom Ryan has replaced O'Connor at Newtownshandrum and takes over immediately.

He also announced yesterday that it was his intention to stand as an independent candidate in next year's general election.

Limerick boss Eamon Cregan has rewarded four members of the county's under-21 All-Ireland winning team with places on his panel for 2002.

They are Peter Lawlor, Brian Carroll, Conor Fitzgerald and Stephen Lucey. Also added is Paul Carey, younger brother of CiarβCarey, as well as Donie Ryan who will be linking up with his brothers, Dave and TJ.