1996/99
For up to date news visit the Connaught Telegraph website.
Tug-of-war raging over top footballers
4 February 1998
By Tom Kelly
A TUG-OF-WAR is raging between leading Mayo clubs for the services of players who are talented at both Gaelic football and soccer.
Informal talks have taken place between a number of sporting clubs in the county in a bid to find an amicable solution to the problem.
Competition for the best players hotted up after the introduction of 'Summer Soccer' a number of years ago.
In Castlebar, it has been confirmed that the manager of Castlebar Celtic F.C. met with a leading member of Castlebar Mitchels.
The Mitchels official, who did not wish to be quoted, told the Telegraph the meeting was a personal one and he was not acting on Mitchels' behalf.
The same official denied a letter had been circulated to their players seeking for a firm commitment for the forthcoming season.
He added he was not aware of any top player who did not play at least two sports, and there was no question of his club being in competition with another sport for players.
Noel Coll, secretary of Castlebar Celtic, said he did not see a problem with players deciding to play one sport ahead of the other.
A number of their senior players had opted in the last number of weeks to give their allegiances to gaelic football.
He accepted the right of players to make that decision.
There is also similar pressures on dual players in other parishes throughout the county where both Gaelic football and soccer are rooted.
In some cases, compromises have been reached, although it is usually left to up to the players to make up their own mind.
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - February 1998
