Meath still without a sponsor as the games commence

GAELIC GAMES NEWS:THE MEATH County Board remain some way behind neighbours Dublin in securing sponsorship for the 2010 season and beyond. Last December Menolly Homes, the sponsor that replaced Meath's long-term relationship with Kepak in 2005, abruptly ended a three-year agreement that was due to run until 2012.

The timing of that announcement severely hindered the search for a replacement, which only started in the past fortnight, all but ruling out securing what would ideally be a long-term deal in the region of €350,000 per annum before the National League commences next month.

Meath travel to Parnell Park on Sunday to face a Dublin team that will be showcasing this week’s €4.65 million, six-year deal with Vodafone on their new jerseys.

“We do have some irons in the fire at present but the fact we only received confirmation of the (loss of the sponsorship deal) in the first week of December was part of the problem,” said county board secretary Cyril Creavin.

“Christmas, people going on holidays and the weather have disrupted matters. We kind of expected it to a certain extent but are a bit disappointed with how late it was left to inform us.”

Creavin confirmed the Meath county board are seeking approximately half the figure Dublin secured from the Vodafone deal adding: “We had about half that amount before and would be satisfied with that again. We are hoping for a long-term agreement.”

Securing any deal looks unlikely before the National League begins but the priority is to secure a new main sponsor before the championship opener against Offaly on May 23rd. In the meantime, they will receive a stark reminder of the contrasting fortunes of Dublin GAA when facing the Leinster champions in the O’Byrne Cup this weekend.

The last time the two sides met at Parnell Park resulted in eight suspensions following an on-field dispute.

Louth are also seeking a replacement for their previous sponsors McCabe Builders but sources within the county board confirmed yesterday that an announcement on this will be forthcoming early next week – with a deal all but finalised.

Meanwhile, Dublin have released their squad to face Meath with James McCarthy and Brendan McManamon ruled out after sustaining injuries in last Sunday’s 2-10 to 0-8 victory over Wexford. Alan Brogan remains absent with a hand injury as does Barry Cahill (abductor), Darren Magee (knee cartilage), Denis Bastic (ankle operation in December), Pat Burke (shoulder) and Tomas Quinn (metatarsal), while Eoghan O’Gara is suspended.

Wexford(v Longford, O'Byrne Cup): J Russell; J Wadding, D Walsh, N Murphy; K Kennedy, D Murphy, D Kehoe; B Doyle, D Waters; R Barry, B Malone, A Morrissey; B Brosnan, D Kinsella, P Byrne.