Kelly wants floodlit games

News: GAA president Seán Kelly has called for the introduction of more floodlit matches in the National League.

Speaking at yesterday's launch of the 2004 NFL, the 12th season of the Allianz sponsorship, the president said the association would have to look at ways of giving the competition an even higher profile.

"I would like to see more fixtures under floodlights. At the moment we have them in Páirc Uí Rinn and Austin Stack Park in Tralee but I see a need for far more. One thing we really have to look at is organising games in a far more pleasing way for the public. I think we have to look at playing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays."

Floodlit matches were introduced only last year, the inaugural match of the season, Cork-Kerry, being the first floodlit fixture in a major competition.

Kelly also announced that the issue of suspensions being inoperative in December and January had been reviewed and that a proposal to do away with the exemption would be shortly forthcoming.

"The schedule is pretty packed these days with the O'Byrne Cup and the McGrath Cup and similar tournaments and the freezing of December and January for suspensions is an idea that doesn't make much sense. We will be recommending that that stipulation be done away with."

He also revealed that in the GAA's imminent negotiations with the Government in respect of additional funding, he hoped to lay more emphasis on money for games development.

"I'm concerned about the game of hurling and would like to discuss its special status and how we might do a great job in promoting what is a national treasure."