Nickey Brennan confirmed yesterday the GAA remained "fully committed" to the Maze Sports Stadium proposal despite recent speculation it would be hindered by the proposed redevelopment of St Tiernach's Park in Clones.
The modernisation of Casement Park in Belfast and Breffni Park in Cavan prompted recent suggestions that the GAA were about to prioritise a €30 million investment in Clones. The Monaghan ground was the traditional venue for the Ulster final but has been passed over these past three years for Croke Park.
The transformation of the former Long Kesh/Maze prison into a 42,000-capacity GAA stadium, situated in Lisburn, Co Antrim, received the green light recently from the GAA, the Irish Football Association and IRFU Ulster Branch. The latter two bodies are seeking a proviso that the stadium plans be redrawn to enable a reduced capacity of 35,000 for certain sporting events.
A final selection on the current design bids, which include two Irish proposals, will be decided before 2007.
A final decision on the redevelopment is expected before 2008.
Meanwhile, Seán Geaney and Dr David Geaney have been confirmed as the Kerry football selectors under new manager Pat O'Shea, while 29-year-old South Kerry midfielder John Sugre will train the panel that is expected to be at full strength apart from the retired Séamus Moynihan and Mike McCarthy.
Pat The Baker, the Irish family- owned bakery based in Granard, Co Longford, have announced a three-year, 32-county sponsorship deal with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association.
Barry Moran from Mayo and Carthach Keane from Cork were announced yesterday as the final recipients of the Cadbury university football scholarships. The UL students are part of a four year sponsorship of the under-21 football championship, worth €500,000.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/d556e13a-143b-4b6b-a708-378fafc6c2ed.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)