GALWAY: The GAA in Galway is set for an €800,000 windfall following the sale of the county's local radio station.

Galway Bay FM was recently purchased by the Connacht Tribune newspaper for €20 million - resulting in a massive payday for the Galway County Board.

The GAA in Galway was one of a number of organisations to invest in Radio West when local stations were launched in the late 1980s.

At the time it is believed the county board invested about Ir£10,000 for a 10 per cent share in the fledgling station, but this was subsequently diluted to four per cent as other investors came on board.

At a time when GAA grounds all over the country are being targeted by developers, the money provides a timely boost for the county board.

"The GAA is now benefiting from some tremendous foresight by our predecessors," said outgoing county board chairman Frank Burke. He paid tribute to Jimmy Halliday who was chairman of the board when the decision was taken to invest in the new local radio station. "There was not much money about in the late 1980s but it was felt at the time it would be a good thing for the GAA to be involved in the new radio station in Galway.

"That decision has now yielded a big dividend for the GAA," said Burke, who was secretary of the board at the time.

Meanwhile, Corofin's Damian Burke has been named Galway Footballer of the Year. Rock-solid defender Burke will be presented with his award at the Galway Football Board annual dinner in the West Wing Restaurant in Tuam on January 12th.

Burke, who inspired Corofin to the county title, secured a permanent place on the Galway senior team and was their most consistent player throughout 2006.

WEXFORD: Wexford football has been dealt a triple blow in advance of the new season.

Both John Hegarty (31) and former captain Leigh O'Brien (29), who have played big roles for the county over the past number of years, have retired from the intercounty game while forward John Hudson is unable to give the required commitment for 2007.