Gavigan to take a break from football

MARTIN GAVIGAN, who soldiered under the "Rambo" label in Donegal's march to the All Ireland football title in 1992 and won an All Star for his defensive displays, has informed PJ McGowan that he will not be available for this year's Ulster championship. However, the 32 year old has stopped short of announcing his retirement.

"I'm taking a break for personal reasons. My wife Kathleen is expecting our second child and I would like to devote more time to the family. In the longer term, though, I would like to keep my options open and have not actually decided on retirement," said Gavigan.

Gavigan had originally decided to miss out on the National Football League but, due to a spate of injuries and suspensions in the Donegal squad, he changed his mind.

Gavigan lined out at centrefield for Donegal in their last League outing, against Kildare last Sunday week, when defeat sealed the side's fate and they suffered relegation to Division Two next season. His decision means Gavigan won't be available for Donegal's Ulster championship first round encounter with Antrim on May 25th, or any other subsequent games this summer.

Meanwhile, Kerry manager Paidi O Se has made wholesale changes in the side to meet Clare in the McGrath Cup Senior Football Final at Cusack Park, Ennis, next Sunday, from the one which started against Cork in the National League two weeks ago.

In all, there are eight changes in personnel, with Declan O'Keeffe, Killian Burns, Fergal O'Shea, Eamon Ferris, Dara O Se, Joe Daly, John Crowley and John Brennan all returning - while a large number of positional changes means that only Liam Flaherty, at centre half back and Pa Laide, at right half forward will start in the same positions they filled against Cork.

Seamus Moynihan, Gene Farrell and William Kirby, who were all members of Tralee RTC's winning Sigerson Cup team, are rested from starting duty, but are named among the Kerry substitutes.

Clare boss John O'Keeffe has opted for far fewer alterations than his former Kerry defensive team mate. There are three changes from the team that Two game last Sunday week Nigel Dillon is brought in as goalkeeper, Michael Carmody assumes the left corner back spot, and Den is O'Driscoll is named at left corner forward.

In a rather spartan weekend on the inter county scene (with the Under 21 championships grabbing a rare place in the spotlight and the final series of Division Four games most likely to confirm Offaly's place in the quarter finals stages), the McGrath Cup game will act as a fine tuner to both Kerry and Clare for different, reasons. Kerry are due to meet Down in the upcoming NFL quarter finals, while Clare are involved in a relegation play off with Mayo.

Wolfe Tones, who face Athenry in the AIB All Ireland club hurling final at Croke Park on St Patnck's Day, have delayed naming their side. Derek Collins has sustained a hamstring pull, Paul O'Rourke picked up a strained thumb in training and Sean Power received a blow on his knee in training. All three have been receiving treatment and the selectors hope to finalise the team tonight.