GAA President Christy Cooney officially re-opened the GAA Museum and welcomed the many changes and developments made to the museum. Also present were GAA stars, Aisake Ó hAilpin, Sean Cavanagh and Kieran Donaghy.

The GAA president said of the new opening “The refurbishment of the GAA Museum is a most welcome development and will no doubt help improve what is already a superb visitor experience.

I am confident that the work recently undertaken will further enhance a leading destination on Dublin’s tourist trail. I acknowledge the contribution of the Museum team in this work to date and wish them every best wish in the future success of what is a most important historical focal point for the Association as a whole in the months and years ahead”

The upgrade of the GAA Museum was completed earlier this month on April 9th, following a substantial €1million investment by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and grant aid from Fáilte Ireland.

Visitors can now enjoy many new and innovative features when visiting the GAA Museum. One such addition is a distinctive club-focused wall at the main entrance; Falla na gClub, which welcomes all visitors to the Museum with an outstanding display of every GAA Club’s logo. Further renovations to the GAA Museum include a specially commissioned central display unit for the original Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy trophies which forms the centre piece of the museum.

Retail giants Tesco, were revealed yesterday to be the new sponser of the All-Ireland ladies football club championships.Tesco is now the title sponsor of the national club competition across all three grades – senior, intermediate and junior – with the current deal running until 2011.
CEO of Ladies Gaelic Football, Helen O’Rourke said: “The club championships highlight the important role Ladies Football plays within local communities and I am sure that our new partnership with Tesco will help us to continue to develop our game at a grassroots level.”
They will also be the title sponsor of the Ladies Football Club Person of the Year Awards, which recognise and celebrate individuals who play a vital role within their club and community.

Jack O’Connor, Kerry manager is unruffled by the departures of Tadhg Kennelly, Tommy Walsh and David Moran to Austrialia. While he did admit that losing all
three are a huge loss to the Kingdom, he believes that they are capable of retaining the Sam Maguire Cup next year.

“It’s a big blow but we will just have to get on with it now,” O’Connor said in the Irish Independent.

“I suppose the one thing about it is that we used an awful lot of players last year in the league and there will be a number of players now chomping at the bit during the closed season, hoping to get a shot at it in the New Year.”

The announcement was made at the GPA’s Annual Gala and Awards Evening at the CityWest Hotel in Dublin. The pair were also honoured with the Vodafone Player of the Year awards last month.

Walsh and Galvin won the accolades following a vote by the GPA membership after being short-listed for the prize in October.

Due to their outstanding performances throughout the season, both players will receive a brand new Opel Astra worth approximately €25,000.

Commenting on the announcement, Dessie Farrell, Chief Executive of the Gaelic Players’ Association said: “Congratulations to Tommy and Paul who have been acknowledged by their fellow hurlers and footballers as the outstanding players of the 2009 season.

“Both men made massive contributions to their respective county’s efforts this year and though they were up against serious competition during the nomination process, they have been singled out by their peers.

FROM January 1, 2010 senior players will follow the regulations already in place at the minor and under 21 grades of hurling.

In introducing and streamlining these regulations the GAA continues its commitment to ensuring player welfare on the field of play with the specific intention of reducing injuries.

The injuries which the compulsory wearing of helmets will prevent and reduce in numbers are specifically those related to the head, face, eye and dental regions.

The compulsory wearing of helmets with full faceguards, both in training and matches, will significantly reduce the occurrence of these injuries. Hurlers of all ages, including those at nursery clubs when holding a hurley in their hand must wear a helmet and faceguard at all times.

The helmets and faceguards worn by the player should comply with the specific standard required by the GAA which is in compliance with the ISS 355 standard and test.

GAA President Christy Cooney endorsed the rule change.

He said: “The introduction of this rule at senior level is a natural progression following as it does the rule change at minor and U21 level in recent seasons.

As part of the GAA’s 125 year celebrations, the trees are being planted to help make hurls in years to come and it averaged that it takes 10,000 trees to make enough hurling sticks to keep the country’s clubs and counties going for one year.

All Ulster clubs are being asked to buy five ash saplings at £25 each in order to raise money for the camogie and ladies boards, while also creating hurls for themselves.

It takes an ash tree 25 years to reach a mature stage where hurls can be manufactured from the timber meaning the next generation will be looked after.

ULSTER regained the M Donnelly Interprovincial senior football title on Sunday with a 0-15 to 1-8 win over 2008 winners Munster in London.

The Ruislip encounter was the first such final to be played in the British capital and Joe Kernan’s men emerged victorious with delighted captain Stephen O’Neill lifting the trophy.

Kernan’s side were the better for much of the game though did find themselves trailing after a third-quarter Munster comeback. However, Ulster did not let Waterford man Gary Hurney’s goal derail them and scored the game’s last five scores for a four-point win.

Afterwards, sponsor Martin Donnelly confirmed that he will continue to sponsor the inter-pros next year.

He said: “I’ve never been shy about putting my hand in my pocket and I’ll continue to do that,” he said.

Loup were four point winners over Fermanagh side Derrygonnelly. Kilcoo beat Donegal team St Eunan’s by the same margin. Clontibret hung on to defeat Tyrone side Dromore by two points while at Casement Park St Gall’s were too strong for Armagh champs, Pearse Ogs.

“It’s great that Ulster Council saw the merit in changing the format for this competition and I’m delighted that they gave the go ahead for it,” she said.

“I hope that by making this change that we can make the Dowd Competition a lot more meaningful for all those who take part in it. It’s going to be a busy January, but it’s a great way to start off the year.”