Cloonan set to playSeveral former Galway hurlers recalled to the squad by Ger Loughnane are poised to play their first game since their return when a Galway development squad takes on Roscommon in the Connacht senior hurling league at Ballinasloe on Saturday.
Diarmuid Cloonan, Greg Kennedy, Mark Kerins, Iarla Tannian and Fergal Moore were recalled to the squad when Loughnane took control in October. Players who featured for Galway in the championship last year cannot play in the Connacht hurling league.
Galway Hurling Board secretary John Fahey said the side to play Roscommon would feature both experienced and young players. "It is not a rookie squad, and players who have returned to the fold who did not feature in the championship last year will be included," said Fahey.
Galway were poised to return to training last night in Tubber after a three-week break during which time players carried out individual training programmes.
Call for Dolan recall
A call has been made by a long-serving Roscommon official for Frankie Dolan to be recalled to the county team and end speculation about the 28-year-old transferring to Westmeath. Former Roscommon Connacht Council delegate and county board executive member John McGowan said Dolan remains one of the best footballers in the county.
McGowan, manager of the Roscommon under-16 team last year and a coaching officer in the county, said Roscommon cannot afford to lose players of Dolan's ability.
Speaking on Sportsbeat on Shannonside FM, said Dolan's form in guiding St Brigid's to their first provincial club title a few weeks ago underlined he still has a lot to offer. "I would like to see Frankie Dolan playing for Roscommon again. I wouldn't like to tell the selectors what to do as I was in the same position myself a few years ago as a selector, but I would like to see Frankie back on the panel as I think he is one of the best footballers in the county," he said.
McGowan said Dolan was involved in at least eight or nine scores as St Brigid's won their first Connacht club football title by defeating Galway champions Corofin by 1-10 to 3-3 in November.
"We cannot afford to lose a player of that calibre. I would like to see him back in on the panel and maybe one or two other guys that have left the scene," he said.
McGowan said he could see no reason Dolan could not transfer his excellent club form on to the county team. "The general opinion around my area is he should be brought back in and given another chance and that is a view I would agree with. It is just my own personal view but I know a lot agree with it," added McGowan.
Pitch for help
Third level colleges have a big role to play in early-season provincial competitions such as the O'Byrne Cup and Connacht League, according to GMIT's Damian Curley. But the former All-Ireland club hurling medal winner with Kiltormer, who is the GAA development officer at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, says more help needs to be given to the colleges by the provincial councils.
He feels games between the third-level colleges and intercounty teams should take place at county grounds - their opening game in the Connacht League against Leitrim fell by the wayside on Sunday because of the state of pitches in Galway. The fixture was moved from Pearse Stadium to Castlegar in midweek, and had to be switched to Mervue a couple of hours before throw-in before a decision was taken to cancel the fixture.
"These matches are a shop window for players in third-level colleges. In some cases players are playing against their own county and it gives them an opportunity to show their talent. Third-level colleges provide a vital link in ensuring players can make the transition from teenage years into senior.
"We do not have a pitch to stage matches like this, nor do many of the colleges have grounds that can cater for supporters. The competition will be enhanced by games taking place at venues where there are spectator facilities. The value of the colleges to the competitions should not be underestimated.
"We also find the League and the Connacht Development League in hurling of huge benefit as we prepare for the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cup campaigns," said Curley.
His GMIT side are due to take on Sligo in the Connacht League next Sunday at Dunmore, but already there are doubts about whether the pitch will be playable.
