SLAUGHTNEIL assistant manager John Joe Kearney has praised the “common sense” approach of the GAA after the Robert Emmet’s All-Ireland Club football semi-final with Nemo Rangers was pushed back a week.
The clash was originally scheduled for either February 17 or 18, which would have left immense pressure on their dual players with the hurlers set to face Na Piarsaigh in their own semi-final on February 10 at Parnell Park.
The GAA, however, have now rescheduled the football semi-final for February 24 with O’Moore Park in Portlaoise hosting the fixture between Ulster and Munster champions.
The Derry club faced a similar situation last year but the GAA again made arrangements to ensure that there was two weeks between their football and hurling semi-finals.
“We’re really happy and it’s good to see they have taken us into consideration,” said Kearney, who acts as Mickey Moran’s assistant.
“It’s a big plus for us. Of course that is provided that everyone comes through the hurling game with no injuries.
“That’s always a wee fear you have when you have nine or 10 dual players but we have lived with that for four or five years now.
“It’s a long time before the games but it’s a nice bonus that they have made their minds up so early.
“It’s not every year when you’ll have a club in both hurling and football and they, of course, wouldn’t really have planned for that.
“Then it does come along and changes things. I’m glad to see that common sense has prevailed.”
Kearney, meanwhile, expects to have Meehaul McGrath and Cormac O’Doherty available for the Nemo game while Paul Bradley could also be in contention for a return.
“Paul would probably be the slowest of the three,” he said.
“He had an operation on a disc in his back and I was talking to him at the start of the week about it.
“Before the operation he had lost the power in the foot but that’s coming back now so it’s going the right road for him.
“Cormac and Meehaul should be back even for the hurling while the other fella will be coming in to consideration about then too.”
Kearney also revealed that Conor McAllister took part in training earlier this week as he continues to recover from facial injuries suffered back in October.
McAllister came off the bench in the Ulster preliminary round win over Kilcoo, but he was forced to miss the wins over Omagh, Kilcar and Cavan Gaels.
The youngster still requires more treatment but will be fit for February’s clash.
Semi-final details have also been confirmed for Ulster’s other provincial winners.
Moy’s Intermediate Football Championship semi-final with Kerry’s An Ghaeltacht will be held on Saturday, January 20 in Portlaoise.
At the same time, Ulster Junior champions Naomh Colmcille will face Cork’s Knocknagree in their semi-final in Mullingar.
Ulster Intermediate Hurling champions Middletown will be out a day later, on Sunday, January 21, with their last-four clash with Cork champions Kanturk set to take place at St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge.
Ulster Junior hurling champions Setanta will also be out on the Sunday as they meet Waterford’s Ardmore in Navan.
The All-Ireland Senior Club quarter-final between Fulham Irish and Corofin, postponed last week due to the snow in London, will be held on January 21 back in Ruislip.
