Galway to face Dublin IT in Ballinasloe

GALWAY MAY well be taking another step towards permanent residency in the Leinster hurling championship by staging this Sunday’s Walsh Cup quarter-final against Dublin IT in the newly-revamped Duggan Park in Ballinasloe.

It marks the first official Leinster hurling fixture to be played in Connacht, and follows recent discussions between the two provincial councils regarding Galway’s hurling future in Leinster. The three-year trial ends with this year’s championship, and while it’s hard to see Galway reverting back to relative isolation after that, it is envisaged future agreements would see Galway also allowed to host Leinster hurling championship matches.

Duggan Park in Ballinasloe has recently undergone a make-over, mainly in terms of improved dressingroom facilities, and there are further plans to develop the ground and make it Galway’s number two venue, after Pearse Stadium in Galway.

It was initially agreed Galway, as Walsh Cup holders, would stage the final if they progressed that far, but it was since agreed they would stage the quarter-finals and also the semi-finals, should, of course, they win on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Galway footballers, who were beaten by NUIG in the FBD Connacht League last Sunday, must plan for the National League without the services of star forward Michael Meehan.

Manager Tomás Ó Flatharta has confirmed Meehan is still some ways off recovery from a knee operation which he underwent before Christmas, and if he does play any part in the league it will only be in the latter stages.

It has also been confirmed top Sligo defender Noel McGuire is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines after cracking a bone in his ankle in the opening FBD clash against Galway earlier this month, and which obviously rules him out of Sunday’s game against NUIG.

• Ger Rogan was last night appointed as the new manager of the Derry senior and under-21 hurling teams.