Women footballers stake a claim

 Player welfare funds:  Following this week's agreement between the GAA and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) to pursue Government player welfare funds, the women's football association has claimed they are similarly entitled to such funding.

A statement released last night urged the Government to make any such grant aid available to their intercounty players, following on from Wednesday's decision between the GAA and GPA that effectively cleared the way for the distribution of around €5 million in Government funds to intercounty footballers and hurlers.

According to the women's association chief executive Helen O'Rourke the Government shouldn't be seen to be offering preferential treatment in this matter.

"The Ladies Gaelic Football Association welcomes the agreement by the GAA and GPA to disperse the proposed Government funding among GAA players to improve player welfare," said O'Rourke.

"However, the (women's) Association would like the Government to take into consideration the player welfare of those involved in both ladies football and camogie, who are not included in this initiative.

"Players involved in both female codes at elite level have the same training and work commitments as their male counterparts."

Such a request could yet stall the GAA's and GPA's intention to have the grant aid distributed over the upcoming championship, if, as is now expected, the Government awaits a similar proposal from the Women's Association.

Under the GAA/GPA proposal, players from the most successful panels can expect approximately €3,500 a year in expenses, with those on less successful panels expected to receive over €1,000.

Previously the GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell stated that it was effectively up to the other association to submit their own proposal, as the women's code weren't covered by their initiative, and that may now become the focus of O'Rourke's association.

Other amateur sports, including basketball and hockey, were said to be keeping an eye on the GAA/GPA development, which has implications for their own associations.

Meanwhile, Sunday's final round of the Allianz National Football League is divided between teams with little to play for, and everything to play for - one of which is the meeting between Tyrone and Mayo.

While Mayo are already through to the semi-finals, Tyrone need to win to preserve their division one status. A defeat to Mayo in Omagh, coupled with Dublin beating Kerry, would see them drop to Division Two, although if Dublin lose, Tyrone would still survive even if Mayo come out on top.

Manager Mickey Harte isn't taking any chances and rearranged his line-up after last weekend's draw with Kerry. Dermot Carlin returns to the defence, replacing Ciaran Gourley. With Colm McCullagh suspended, his place at full forward goes to Colm Cavanagh. Stephen O'Neill, who was ill last weeky, will start on the bench.

Armagh host Westmeath in Crossmaglen needing the win to fend off relegation to Division Three. If Louth manage to beat Derry they are doomed anyway, although Armagh manager Joe Kernan has secured the services of the Crossmaglen players such as Oisin McCnville and son Aaron Kernan, fresh from their All-Ireland club win last Sunday. He must do without the McEntee twins, Tony and John, who both announced their retirement in the aftermath of Sunday's win.

In hurling, Wexford welcome back two of their strongest forwards - Eoin Quigley and Paul Carley - for Sunday's quarter-final showdown against Galway at Nowlan Park. Stephen Banville, recovered from a recent layoff, is named on the bench, although Wexford must still start without Rory McCarthy, who is on a long-arranged visit to the US Masters golf tournament in Augusta.

TYRONE (SF v Mayo): P McConnell, R McMenamin, P Donnelly, D Carlin, D Harte, C Gormley, Justin McMahon, Joe McMahon, R Mellon, B Dooher, M Penrose, R Mulgrew, N Gormley, C Cavanagh, O Mulligan.

DERRY (SF v Louth): S O'Kane; K McGuckin, K McCloy, R Murray, P Cartin, S M Lockhart, G O'Kane; F Doherty, J Conway; M McGoldrick, C Gilligan, M Lynch; E Muldoon, Paddy Bradley, Paul Bradley.

WEXFORD (SH v Galway): D Fitzhenry; M Travers, D Ruth, P Roche; W Doran, K Rossiter, C Kenny; K Fitzpatrick, D Lyng; M Jacob, M Doyle, E Quigley; P Carley, D Stamp, R Jacob.

LAOIS (SH v Kerry): P Mullaney; B Campion, B Ferns, K Fitzpatrick; J Fitzpatrick, J Young, J Walsh; J Phelan, S Dollard; W Hyland, M Whelan, J Brophy; P Russell, T Fitzgerald, J Phelan.