GAAFixtures

Ian O'Riordan

Dublin hurling has again lost out to Dublin football following the decision of dual player Shane Ryan to concentrate on football for the foreseeable future. Hurling manager Humphrey Kelleher admitted he was "extremely disappointed" by the news, although he fully respected Ryan's decision and has assured him the door was still open should he ever reconsider.

What has compounded Kelleher's disappointment is the fact Ryan had indicated at the weekend he would be available to the hurling panel for at least the duration of the National League. That changed on Monday night when he contacted Kelleher to indicate his change of heart, and that football would continue to get his total commitment.

"Of course I am extremely disappointed about this," said Kelleher, "but what I've been saying all along is that the player himself should make up his own mind, and should be left to make the decision himself. So I have full respect for his wishes."

Kelleher admitted, however, he was initially under the impression Ryan had made himself available to the hurling panel. Dublin start the defence of their Walsh Cup title against Wexford on Sunday, and Kelleher was set to name Ryan at full forward.

"I'd spoken with Shane last Saturday," he added, "when we were starting the process of finalising our panel of 30 players. We'd made an arrangement where he would be part of the panel for the National Hurling League, so I was quite sure then that I would have him on the panel for at least the next few months. Then about 7.30 yesterday evening Shane called me back, said he'd changed his mind, and would be concentrating on football. I've known Shane for nearly 20 years and I know it was a difficult decision. So no one is more disappointed about it than I am.

"But I would never put a player under any pressure, because then he would be playing for the wrong reasons. If the player wants to concentrate on football then I certainly won't prevent him. I just don't believe in pressuring him to play one or the other."

In the background of Ryan's decision was the on-going discussion between Kelleher and his football counterpart, Tommy Lyons, regarding the issue of dual players. The managers first met early last week, presented their cases, and agreed to talk further over the coming days.

"Well we've haven't met since," confirmed Kelleher, "but we had contacted the county secretary about arranging another meeting. And then I got the call from Shane. And that's where it's at for now. I honestly don't know where Tommy stood on this, but I'll continue to have a good relationship with him. He's also just trying to do the best job he can do. But I've also agreed with Shane that if and when he wants to play hurling again then all he has to do is contact me."

There may be further conflict ahead regarding the commitments of Conal Keaney, who up to now has stayed faithful to hurling but has also featured on the football panel. Yet Kelleher is confident Keaney will continue to put his hurling first.

"The situation with Conal is quite simple. I last spoke with him at the Blue Stars, and he's been involved with exams up until today. What we agreed was that I would contact him after that, and that he'd be back with us when we get the panel together."

While Kelleher does not believe in pressuring dual players into committing to both codes, he does clearly believe dual roles are still possible: "It was interesting to read this week that Offaly's Neville Coughlan has in fact asked to play both codes, and Darren Rooney wants to do the same for Laois. But then Brendan Cummins has said that he can't play football anymore. So again it does come down to the player."

Ryan's loss, however, hasn't blighted Kelleher's positive outlook on the future of Dublin hurling. He will announce his final panel of 30 players at training this evening, and introduce them to his full back-up team.

"I believe the back-up team we have now is as good as any county. We've got everyone in place, the physio, nutritionist, doctor, and we've even got our own hurley maker. That was one of my aims at the beginning, that the players would see what a good set-up we have in hurling, and would be more inclined to make it their first choice. And of course it would be marvellous start to the year to win the Walsh Cup again, but we're thinking long term more than short term."

TODAY

McKenna Cup SF: Tyrone v UUJ, Carrickmore, 7.30, G McCarron (Monaghan).

Connacht League SF: NUIG v Sligo IT, Castlegar, 7.30, D Corcoran (Mayo).

Colours Matches: Hurling - UCD v Trinity, Belfield, 1.0; Football - UCD v Trinity, Belfield, 2.15.

SATURDAY

Walsh Cup SH: Westmeath v UCD, Clonkill, 2.0, J Guinan (Kilkenny).

Kehoe Cup SH: Carlow v Mayo, Carlow, 2.0, D Connolly (Kilkenny).

SUNDAY

O'Byrne Cup SF final: Meath v Westmeath, Mullingar, 2.0, M Monahan (Kildare).

Walsh Cup SH: Wexford v Dublin, Piercetown, 2.0, P Dunphy (Kilkenny); Offaly v Laois, Birr, 2.0, B Kelly (Westmeath).

Kehoe Cup SH: Kildare v DIT, Naas, 2.0, J Owens (Wexford); Louth v Wicklow, Drogheda, 2.0, E Mullarkey (Dublin); Longford v Meath, Longford Slashers, 2.0, B Gavin (Offaly).

McKenna Cup SF semi-final: Donegal v Down, Clones, 2.0, P Mullan (Monaghan).

McGrath Cup SF final: Clare v Limerick, Ennis, 2.0, A Mangan (Kerry).

Connacht SF League: Leitrim v Sligo, Cloone, 2.0, M Daly (Mayo); GMIT v Defence Forces, Menlough, 2.0, P McGovern (Galway); Roscommon v Mayo, Ballinlough, 2.0, M Duffy (Sligo).