Venues for club ties to be decided

The Games Administration Committee of the GAA will meet tonight to discuss the venues for the All-Ireland club semi-finals and finals.

Croke Park is definitely out of bounds for the St Patrick's Day finals due to the completion of the new Hogan stand and subsequent reseeding of the pitch, and according to GAC chairman Paraic Duffy a number of alternatives are likely to be examined.

"The matter was raised at last weekend's Central Council meeting," said Duffy, "but up to now we haven't had any discussion on possible venues. It may be that we go for one venue or split the games into separate venues, and we will be looking at the teams involved as well."

In the football, the winners of Sunday's meeting between Na Fianna and Rathnew play Ulster champions Ballinderry, and Connacht champions Charlestown play Munster champions Nemo Rangers.

In hurling, the winners of Sunday's replay between Birr and Castletown will play Ulster champions Dunloy, while Ballygunner (Munster champions) meet Clarinbridge (Connacht champions).

Meanwhile, Kerry county chairman Seβn Walsh has expressed his disappointment with the criticism that followed the heavy defeat to Meath in last summer's All-Ireland football semi-final. Speaking at last night's annual convention in Killarney, Walsh said: "The 11th of September 2001 will forever have a place in world history. I can safely say that the 2nd of September 2001 will also have a place in GAA history.

"Kerry people everywhere will readily remember the glorious year of 2000 for Kerry football, they will also remember September 2001 and Kerry's heavy defeat by Meath.

"More column inches have been written about Kerry's defeat than any other defeat in our history, some an accurate account of that fateful day, some conjecture about what happened and other accounts that seemed ridiculous in the extreme. . . . It now looks like it is totally unacceptable that a team can have an off-day on the playing field."

In relation to the opening of Croke Park, Walsh clearly stated Kerry's position: "We supported the motion that was on the clβr for Congress, which was a motion giving power to Central Council in relation to the use of Croke Park."