Injury Time . . . with Jerome O'Connell

LAST year there was much acclaim surrounding the Limerick intermediate hurlers as they reached the All-Ireland final. However, last Sunday’s demolition in Thurles reopens an annual question about the value of the inter-county intermediate hurling and junior football championships - that 23-point defeat in Semple Stadium comes off the back of the disappointing loss to Clare the previous week in the football in Ennis.
Last year was a perfect example of the worth of these competitions when winning provincial honours and the extended run helped Stephen Walsh, Paul Browne, Tom Condon, Richie McCarthy and Paudie McNamara to graduate to the senior panel.
Authorities cannot allow the competition to continue in its current format with some counties allowed to field ‘second string’ sides and others required to select from non-senior clubs.
Be it hurling or football, do players, supporters or the county benefit from fielding a team that has just a couple of weeks training together and half a dozen challenge games played?
Indeed, where do these competitions rate compared to the Christy Ring or Nicky Rackard Cups.
Surely it is time to set up a development type panel and then give the players a meaningful championship game in these ailing grades.
Perhaps as a county a decision should be taken that all players would be under-23 and the respective managers could delve into the under-21 panels of recent years as well as working with that year’s under-21 boss.
A close liaison is also needed with the county senior managers to ensure a smooth transition of players between both panels.

Ballylanders honour Frank Dineen
BALLYLANDERS GAA club are to honour one of their most famous sons - Frank Dineen.
During the south Limerick town’s annual Pattern Day celebrations in mid-August, the GAA club are to unveil a plaque in memory of the man that is credited with purchasing Croke Park for the GAA.
Eamon O’Neill and a committee have trusted renowned sculptor, Seamus Connolly to produce the plaque.
The West Clare man is responsible for the bronze sculpture of Olympic hammer-thrower Paddy Ryan in Pallasgreen, the life size of actor Richard Harris in Kilkee and the life size statue of John B. Keane in Listowel.
The commemorative plaque is to be placed on Dineen’s home house, which is now McDermott’s pub in Ballylanders.
Also in the coming months, a book on the life and times of Frank Dineen will be in the book shops as part of the 125-year GAA anniversary.

Gaelic Grounds back in the national spotlight
THE Gaelic Grounds will be back in the national spotlight next Sunday when Clare and Tipperary cross hurleys in the Munster senior hurling championship semi-final.
The repeat of last year’s provincial final has a 4.00 start and will be broadcast live on TV3.
For a number of reasons its a pity that Kerry didn’t overcome Cork in last weekend’s Munster SFC replay, but primarily because the final would have afforded another big game for the Gaelic Grounds.
There is much work underway at the Ennis Road venue at present.
Work has commenced on the long overdue floodlights. At the current rate the lights will be ready ahead of schedule. It is hoped that they will be unveiled on Saturday October 10 for the county senior football championship final.
The official ‘switching on’ will take place on Saturday October 24 for the International Rules test between Ireland and Australia.
As well as work on the floodlights, new dressing rooms are being constructed under both terraces.
This will in turn allow for the modernisation of the current dressing rooms beneath the Mackey Stand.