PAUL Higgins will be eligible to play for Down in the Ulster Senior football championship opener against Tyrone next month after having his 12-month suspension quashed by the GAA’s Central Council last night.
The defender, who had been penalised for playing illegally in America last summer, was re-instated along with his fellow inter-county star Gregory McCartan, who had his six-month penalty lifted.
Both will now be part of Pete McGrath’s plan for the May 17 contest at Omagh, although McCartan was already sure of playing for the Mournemen as his suspension expires before the start of the championship.
Donegal’s Leslie McGettigan, Danny Gallagher and Ollie Reid were all re-instated after similar offences, as were Monaghan pair Rory Moen and Martin Sweeney.
At annual congress in the Burlington Hotel in Dublin last night, the central council ratified the findings of the Mercy Committee, who met several weeks ago.
The GAA’s Director General Liam Mulvihill revealed that of the 24 applications received by the Committee, 19 had been accepted all from players who had been in the States illegally.
THE main point of interest arising from last night’s opening annual congress discussions was the announcement that international matches between Ireland and Australia are set to resume at senior level.
Liam Mulvihill revealed that a group of top officials from the Australian Football League (AFL), are arriving in Dublin on Wednesday to hold talks with the association about the possibility of establishing a series, which could be played on a home and away basis every two years.
The current U17 compromise rules series between Australia and the four provinces is being seen as a stepping stone towards full internationals between the two countries. An Ireland team last toured Australia in 1990, organised on the back of the highly successful tour of 1986.
FORMER president Con Murphy opened the annual can of worms by urging current incumbent Joe McDonagh and Liam Mulvihill to hold talks with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern regarding the British Army’s occupation of part of Crossmaglen Rangers pitch.
The Cork man received rapturous applause after declaring that the Armagh club deserved great praise for their “dignified silence and determination” throughout the years.
He added that with a peace settlement in the north a distinct possibility, the time was now right to “ask the British Army to leave one of our grounds”.
Joe McDonagh welcomed his comments but said he would deal with them in his own speech, increasing speculation that he is to tackle the thorny issue of Rule 21 during his annual address this afternoon
THE Full Monty may appear at Solitude this afternoon and budding actor Paul Reece has threatened to take centre stage.
Far from throwing his gloves into the crowds of Cliftonville supporters, Reece suggested he may whip off the lot, should Cliftonville become Premier League champions for the first time since 1910.
Nottingham-born Reece is still unsure what to make of the Northern Irish version of the game.
He finds administrative decisions often bizarre.
Can’t quite grasp why Cliftonville must play their home games against Linfield, away from home and frequently ponders the divisions of supporters.
So deep are his thoughts, he’s developed an understanding of ‘the situation’ and welcomes efforts for ‘the agreement’ to work.
MALACHY Lynch, the tall Rathfriland lightweight, yesterday narrowly missed out on an excellent chance to qualify for the finals in the Boys National Boxing Champions at the National Stadium.
Lynch was ahead of his pint-sized opponent Dermott Barrett of Olympic Galway in the last half minute when was given a public warning and crucially, two points were awarded to his opponent.
Barrett, a younger brother of the Olympian Francie, was always prepared to come forward and this should have suited the longer-reaching Lynch but the Olympic boy took it 10-9.
Brian Gillen of the Antrim club took the decision on a count back in the same division.
Gillen was held to a 3-3 low score at the end of the contest by Kevin Maughan (Ennis) but was credited victory, 16-9.
