Tyrone panels back GPA

News: The Gaelic Players Association have released a statement on behalf of the Tyrone hurling and football panels in which they state their wish "to categorically distance themselves from the comments made in a letter by the Tyrone County Board to Uachtarán CLG, Nickey Brennan".

The response comes a day after the controversial communication from Tyrone urged the GAA not to proceed with talks with the players' union intended, as agreed by Central Council, to explore the issue of formal recognition for the GPA.

"Both panels wholeheartedly support formal recognition of the Gaelic Players Association, as included in last year's list of demands issued to Croke Park in the wake of the GPA's egm . . . Both panels refuse to have the board speak for us and we assert our right again, to be represented in an independent players' association. We will not tolerate any effort by the county board to block or hamper the negotiations currently under way between Croke Park and the GPA."

The Offaly County Board are to proceed with a 13,500-capacity terrace and new dressingrooms in O'Connor Park at a cost of € 2 million.

The county have just competed a 7,000-seater stand at the venue. On the opposite side of the pitch a grass bank has been in use since the venue was established but the board want to replace that with a new terrace.

Galway-Mayo IT shocked University of Ulster, Jordanstown, 3-12 to 2-13, in yesterday's All-Ireland Freshers semi-final at Garrison, Co Fermanagh.

KILKENNY(NHL v Dublin): PJ Ryan; C Hickey, N Hickey, J Tyrrell; JJ Delaney, B Hogan, T Walsh; M Rice, E Larkin; E Brennan, W O'Dwyer, R Power; E McCormack, M Comerford, A Fogarty.

OFFALY(NHL v Cork): R Murray; Cr Hernon, P Cleary, M Verney; C Horan, D Hoctor, D Kenny; B Teehan, G Hanniffy; D Molloy, R Hanniffy, E Bevans; S Dooley, J Bergin, C Parlon.