UCD football on the defensive after criticism

Dublin county champions UCD fully deserve their place in the Leinster club championship, according to Brian Mullins, the Director of Sport at UCD.

Mullins referred to the issue yesterday while announcing the recipients of UCD's sports scholarships for 2002-2003.

"We have had to justify our existence to a lot of people over the last few weeks," said Mullins. "But we feel we are well worth our recognition as Dublin football champions for this year."

Since winning the Dublin title, however, the presence of UCD in this year's provincial championship hasn't escaped criticism.

Wicklow champions Rathnew, the team they face in Sunday's quarter-final - weather permitting - have referred to them as a team of "All-Stars".

And Kilmacud Crokes, one of the teams they beat en route to the Dublin title, had previously penned a motion calling for universities to be excluded from the county championship.

Dublin County Board secretary John Costello has also supported the presence of universities in the championship in his report to be delivered at the county convention on Monday week.

"Aside from their participation in such competition," says Costello, "third level colleges have much to offer Gaelic games in Dublin.

"The playing facilities in DCU, UCD, St Patrick's and TCD have been used for club matches and by various county squads for training. And the facilities and expertise available in these colleges can be utilised to the further benefit of Gaelic games in the capital."

Seven players on the current UCD football panel were among the scholarship recipients announced yesterday. Team captain Brendan O'hAnnaidh (Wicklow), along with Stephen Lucey (Limerick), Redmond Barry (Wexford), and John Hanly (Roscommon) received renewed scholarships, while Wexford dual player David O'Connor, Monaghan's Raymond Ronaghan and Mayo's Paul Navin were all new recipients.

Three members of the current Dublin senior panel are also new recipients - Alan Brogan, Barry Cahill and Darren Magee.

Both Brogan and Cahill have started the Higher Diploma in Computer Science, while Magee has started the Diploma in Sports Management. All three will, however, continue to play with their Dublin clubs.

UCD manager Dave Billings remains confident that the UCD-Rathnew game will go ahead on Sunday despite the continuing rain during the week. The state of the pitch at Aughrim hasn't improved since last weekend's postponement, and Wexford Park is now being suggested as the most likely alternative rather than Newbridge.

"I'm sure we can find somewhere to play the game between now and Sunday afternoon," said Billings, while Mullins added that the best chance of playing the game may be in Knock.

Billings still has several players on the injured list, most notably midfielder Nigel Crawford. Less doubtful is JP Casey of Westmeath, along with Barry.

In total, 86 UCD scholarships were announced, split between 35 new recipients and 51 renewed.

The whole programme requires an annual allocation of around €300,000, and this year the number of clubs involved has increased to 14 - including for the first time women's soccer.

The other sports are athletics, men's basketball, men's boat, camogie, women's Gaelic football, men's Gaelic football, men's golf, women's hockey, men's hockey, hurling, rugby, women's soccer, men's soccer and table tennis.