Ian O'Riordan
The use of floodlights to fulfil intercounty fixtures during the winter months is set to grow in popularity with the Ulster Council this week sanctioning, for the first time, the playing of a competitive fixture under lights. Next Wednesday All-Ireland champions Tyrone will play their McKenna Cup game against the University of Ulster Jordanstown at their floodlight venue at Carrickmore, just outside Omagh.
Already the GAA's Games Administration Committee have cleared Cork to play their home games in the National Football League under the floodlights at Páirc Uí Rinn, starting with Westmeath on January 31st. New floodlights will also be installed at Parnell Park next month, giving Dublin the option for next season of playing their home games after dark.
The Ulster Council had already faced something of a fixtures backlog, and the use of floodlights will help put their McKenna Cup competition back on track. The game was originally set for the first weekend of January, but Tyrone were away on their team holiday in Dubai.
Depending on the success of the venture, as well as Tyrone's progression, the McKenna Cup final may also be played under floodlights. Currently set for February 1st, it clashes with the start of the National Football League, and a new date and venue will be set at the Ulster Council's next meeting.
The GAA are also exploring the possibility of playing hurling fixtures under lights, again to relieve any fixtures congestion. The problem is that the quality of floodlight venues in the country wouldn't be suitable to hurling.
Tyrone, meanwhile, meet Antrim in the next round of the McKenna Cup on Sunday and manager Mickey Harte has given a starting place to Colm McCullagh, who appeared as a substitute against Derry last weekend to good effect. McCullagh is better known as captain of the Omagh Town soccer team, and the player is facing a difficult choice. While Harte has indicated McCullagh could be a major asset to his squad, it is unlikely the player could combine both sports.
In the meantime he replaces Frank McGuigan at right corner forward for Sunday's game at Casement Park. Tyrone will again line out with an impressive side, with the only other change from last Sunday's win being Michael McGee's inclusion at left full back in place of Brian Robinson.
Elsewhere, Westmeath again enjoy the home venue of Mullingar for their O'Byrne Cup semi-final against Carlow. Manager Páidí Ó Sé has made two changes from the team that beat Kildare last weekend, introducing Fergal Dardis and Shane Colleary into the forward line as indirect replacements for James Conroy and Joe Fallon.
It has also been confirmed the county board has extended its sponsorship deal with the Greville Arms Hotel for another year.
Limerick football manager Liam Kearns has delayed naming his team to play Waterford in the McGrath Cup semi-final until shortly before the throw-in on Sunday. Kearns is caught in a catch 22 situation with hurling manager Pad Joe Whelan having told his dual players last week he expected full commitment from them in 2004.
Affected are Stephen Lucey, Mark O'Riordan, Mark Keane, Conor Fitzgerald, Brian Begley and Mike O'Brien. It is likely a meeting between both managers and the county board will take place before the game to find a solution.
TYRONE (SF v Antrim): P McConnell; R McMenamin, C Gormley, M McGee; C Holmes, G Devlin, C Gourley; K Hughes, G Cavlan; M Coleman, B McGuigan, S O'Neill; C McCullagh, E Mulligan, S Mulgrew.
WESTMEATH (SF v Carlow): A Lennon; JJ Davitt, D Gavin, F Murray; T Stuart-Trainor, D Kilmartain, D Heavin; R O'Connell, D O'Shaughnessy; F Dardis, P Conway, A Mangan; F Wilson, S Colleary, D Glennon.
