Galway to be without star students in Connacht league

GAELIC GAMES: The introduction of third level colleges into the FBD Connacht Senior Football League, which starts on Sunday, has come with some controversy.

NUIG, Sligo IT and GMIT have been allowed into the provincial competition for the first time, and the Connacht Council has also ruled that the colleges have first choice when it comes to selecting players who would be eligible for two teams.

Galway start their campaign against Sligo IT in Tuam, but manager John O'Mahony will be without several of his first-choice players who will line out for their college teams instead.

Michael Meehan, for example, who was one of the outstanding forwards in Galway's All-Ireland under-21 success last year, is almost certain to feature in O'Mahony's senior panel in the near future. Over the coming weeks, however, Meehan will be lining out for NUIG, where he has started his first year.

NUIG start their league campaign on Sunday against Mayo in Dangan, thus depriving O'Mahony of several more of his senior players, including Matthew Clancy and Lorcan Colleran.

The other college side introduced to the league this year, GMIT, take on Leitrim in Turloughmore.

In Sunday's round of the O'Byrne Cup Leinster football competition, several new managers will have their first competitive games. Kildare manager Pauric Nolan can expect an eager crowd in Newbridge for the visit of Westmeath, as can new Offaly manager Paul O'Kelly with the visit of Wexford to Tullamore.

Seán Boylan, with a slightly more established term, will get another campaign under way with the visit of Longford - conquerors of Laois last weekend - to Navan.

Dublin's game against Wicklow, moved from Parnell Park to the Thomas Davis grounds at Kiltipper Road, Tallaght, will be a lot more competitive than first suspected. Though most of the Dublin senior team are leaving today for a 10-day holiday in Cape Town, several of their established names are unable to travel for various reasons.

Dublin selector Dave Billings, who is also staying at home, will manage the team on the day and among the established players selected are Stephen Cluxton, Paddy Christie, Paul Casey, Ciarán Whelan, Darren Homan, and Shane Ryan. The emerging minor Bryan Cullen, who featured strongly at centre forward in last Sunday's Blue Stars challenge game, and under-21 hurler David O'Callaghan, get their first competitive senior starts.

Wicklow defender Brendan Ó hAnnaidh, who opted out of last Sunday's O'Byrne Cup victory over Carlow to play for the Dublin Blue Stars, could be back in manager John O'Leary's side because of injuries to defenders Gary Jameson and JP Connolly.

Ulster's revived McKenna Cup will also get under way on Sunday after last weekend's opening game between Tyrone and Fermanagh was postponed. The game between Armagh and Down will also go ahead even though the Armagh senior team are holidaying in Mauritius - an under-21 side will represent the All-Ireland champions.

Returned Derry manager Mickey Moran will start his latest term with a game against Monaghan at Ballinascreen, while Donegal are due to play Cavan in Ballyshannon.

DUBLIN (SF v Wicklow): S Cluxton; D Corcoran, P Christie, N Kane; P Casey, S Ryan, K Kavanagh; C Whelan, D Homan; L Óg Ó hEineachain, B Cullen, K Golden; D O'Callaghan, D O'Mahoney, T Quinn. Subs: A Durnin, K Kehily, G Cullen, J Nolan, J Noonan, M Fitzpatrick, S Walsh, D Lally, H McEnerney.