Gaelic Games/Launch of All-Ireland football championship: There were indications that the recent controversial decision to reduce senior intercounty panels from 30 players to 24 may be reviewed, according to GAA president Seán Kelly. Seán Moran reports.

He was responding to comments made by four prominent managers at yesterday's launch of the Bank of Ireland All-Ireland football championship in the sponsors' offices on College Green in Dublin.

It was widely known intercounty managers were unhappy at the new restriction, which had been introduced a couple of years after the limit of 24 had been expanded to 30 on the recommendation of the then Players' Committee chairman, Jarlath Burns.

Galway manager John O'Mahony specifically raised the matter at the end of yesterday's press conference.

"We feel strongly as managers that this is a retrograde step," he said, describing the move, which had substantial support at Congress, as "a step too far".

Kelly, who was also in attendance, replied that although the GAA were aware of the views of managers, there had been firm convictions behind the move to reduce the panels.

"There was a strong opinion in the counties that not enough club games were being played. That proposal went to Congress, was debated and despite opposition from both Armagh and particularly Kilkenny it got about three-quarters of the votes. Eventually there may be the chance of a sea change but a lot will depend on how the club games go. There have been concerns at the whole panel being grounded for a long time with a good number of the 30 players not playing for either the county or their club."

But he went on to hint change might be possible. "It might be possible to persuade county boards to look at it again but it will have to come to Congress. There's a bit of breathing space, as it doesn't come into force until next year.

"It's not about financial considerations but more that too many players are being grounded for too long. If that situation improves and managers make their views known to county boards it could be looked at again but it will have to be passed at Congress."

O'Mahony was supported by all four of his colleagues.

Laois's Mick O'Dwyer, over 50 years involved at intercounty level and one of the managers whose views were sought, commented sardonically on the process of consultation: "We were unanimous about panels not being cut from 30 to 24. Maybe if we'd recommended panels of 24, we might have got 30."

Limerick manager Liam Kearns made the point that withdrawals were an everyday fact of life for teams. "I started with 33 players and injuries reduced that to 28. If I had a panel of 24 I'd be lucky to tog 16 or 17 players on the day of league matches."

Mickey Harte, manager of All-Ireland champions Tyrone, pointed out the restriction was divisive. "It's not a good step at all. We do need that size of panel and if you need that number you end up making second-class citizens of certain players and you shouldn't do that. It's an area we as managers would like to see revisited."

The president also confirmed the proposed All-Ireland championship for weaker counties, accepted by Congress, would take place this year. There had been suggestions the Weaker Counties Task Force would have to look at the situation before deciding to proceed but Kelly said the competition would be going ahead.

"It's a definite runner," he said. "I have worked out the details with the GAC and it means every team will have at least three games (between provincial championships, All-Ireland qualifiers and now this new secondary competition). The final will be played as a curtain-raiser to one of the All-Ireland semi-finals and I'm trying to convince our friends in America to stage a competition between the big cities with the winners playing the winners of the secondary championship."

The secondary championship was originally to be open to a list of designated counties, a maximum of 16, but Laois and Limerick, who have enjoyed dramatically improved senior fortunes over the past 12 months, are likely to be regraded. Eight counties have expressed interest in entering the competition should they be eliminated by the second round of the All-Ireland qualifier series.

At yesterday's launch John Collins, Bank of Ireland Retail Businesses CEO, said "never has there been a more exciting time to be involved with the GAA". Pointing out that the bank's association, which this season begins a renewed four-year deal, with the GAA went back not just over the 11 years of the All-Ireland sponsorship but had been "a most successful partnership over a quarter of a century" stretching back to when the company took over the sponsorship of the All Stars scheme in 1979.

Meanwhile, the Sligo County Board have confirmed two new sponsorship deals with the announcement yesterday of details of an extended package with Clifford Electrical, who are sponsoring Sligo for the 12th successive year, and a new partnership with sports and leisure wear firm Azzurri, who will supply kits for Sligo's football and hurling teams over three years.