John Quane of Limerick is the final call-up for Wednesday's Vodafone All Stars trip to San Diego. The veteran centrefielder replaces Kerry captain Darragh Ó Sé who is still on holiday with the county team in South Africa.
The selection is further recognition for the achievements of the Limerick footballers who made a significant impact in last summer's qualifiers with wins over Cavan and Offaly. At the heart of the effort was the centrefield combination of Quane and John Galvin, the basketball international who was unlucky not to get an All Star nomination - even ahead of his experienced partner.
But few will begrudge Quane the honour as he has been a great servant of Limerick football going back well over a decade to the team that contested the 1991 Munster final, losing to Kerry by two points. He was also a member of the International Rules panel that went to Australia in 1999.
Galvin is currently in Australia and will miss the Limerick footballers' start to the competitive season, a visit from Clare in the opening round of the McGrath Cup.
The Irish community in southern California is hosting the All Star tour, which includes a match next Saturday between the 2001 and 2002 selections and a banquet afterwards. The teams will be managed by the two most recent All-Ireland winning coaches, Armagh's Joe Kernan and Galway's John O'Mahony.
Also in Limerick, Seán O'Connor, one of the county's emerging young hurlers, will not be available for selection this year. Selector John Meskell confirmed that O'Connor, winner of three All-Ireland under-21 medals, had emigrated to England. O'Connor was a regular with the senior team last season and new manager Dave Keane had hoped to include him in his plans for 2003.
Limerick, who lost by one point to All-Ireland club semi-finalists Birr in a challenge match at the weekend, are due to play the other semi-finalists Athenry at a Limerick venue next Sunday.
Meanwhile, the AIB Club of the Year awards at county level have been announced. The 32 winners will contest their relevant provincial titles and the ultimate national accolade. These prizes will be announced at a ceremony to be held at Croke Park on February 3rd.
All county winners will receive presentations including a development grant for €2,000. Provincial winners will get an additional €5,000 and the national Club of the Year will receive a further €10,000.
In addition to the prize fund, every club in the competition was entered into a draw to win a complete club kit worth €6,000. This was won by O'Loughlin Gaels, Kilkenny.
Meanwhile Mickey Harte has expressed satisfaction at the winning competitive start to his tenure as Tyrone manager. His experimental side came from seven points behind to defeat Fermanagh in the first round of the McKenna Cup at the weekend.
"It was no second grade competition on this occasion, certainly not in terms of its competitive element," he said. "Every team in the New Year wants to start off with a win, I always want to start with a win, and it was going to be a big boost for Fermanagh if they could win that game."
Harte was appointed after the controversial dropping of Art McRory and Eugene McKenna last autumn making it a busy end of year, as he also led Errigal Ciarán to the Ulster club title. The McKenna Cup has allowed him draft in some new players as he prepares for the imminent start of the National League.
"It's all encouraging, that's why we have 30 players in the panel. They are all capable, and if they weren't capable they wouldn't be there. It's nice to see some of the new players come in and be able to find their feet at that level."
With the National League due to start next month, competitive pre-season action is a huge boost to the preparations, as Tyrone try to retain their league title. And a McKenna Cup quarter-final with Antrim at Coalisland on Sunday will give Harte a further opportunity to test the quality within his new squad. "To win is great, and to get the chance of a second competitive match adds icing to the cake," he said. "We want to be playing competitive football as much as possible."
CLUB AWARDS
Connacht: Galway: Glenamaddy; Leitrim: Cloone; Mayo: Achill; Roscommon: St Brigid's; Sligo: Eastern Harps.
Leinster: Carlow: Cnoc Arda; Dublin: Naomh Barrog; Kildare: Moorefield; Kilkenny: Graigue-Ballycallan; Laois: Stradbally; Longford: Ballymahon; Louth: Mattock Rangers; Meath: Simonstown Gaels; Offaly: Tubber; Westmeath: The Downs; Wexford: Rathnure; Wicklow: Bray Emmets.
Munster: Clare: Eire Óg Ennis; Cork: Carrigaline; Kerry: Austin Stacks; Limerick: Adare; Tipperary: Burgess; Waterford: Deuglan Naofa-Ardmhor.
Ulster: Antrim: St Galls; Armagh: Mullaghbawn Cuchullains; Cavan: Butlersbridge; Derry: Seán Dolans; Donegal: Bun Crannaigh; Down: St Malachy's; Fermanagh: Derrygonnelly Harps; Monaghan: Clontibret-O'Neill's; Tyrone: Strabane Sigersons.
