Time to bury the hatchet

The 25th anniversary of perhaps the most infamous GAA match ever played will be marked this year when Galway and Dublin go head-to-head once more — but this time on the golf course!

The 1983 All-Ireland final will be forever remembered for twelve-man Dublin defeating fourteen-man Galway in a decider that was full of bile.

The ill-feeling continued for a long time afterwards but, contrary to popular belief, the players have since built the bridges and moved on.

It is understood that players from both sides are hoping to stage one or two events this year to mark the 25th anniversary and finally draw a line over a day best consigned to history once and for all.

A golf tournament is being organised for September in Westport when the counties will meet again and the prize on offer will be the Mick Holden Cup in memory of the Dublin defender who played that day but who died suddenly last September.

The 1983 final was one of the darkest days for the GAA when Dublin's Ciaran Duff, Brian Mullins and Ray Hazley were sent off along with Galway corner-forward Tomas Tierney but the truth of the matter was many more could have joined as both sides lost their discipline.

Dublin emerged victorious in appalling conditions by 1-10 to 1-8 and the fall-out continued long afterwards.

Tag along

All of the major sports organisations such as GAA and FAI have come up with new initiatives in recent years to increase the playing population and support base but none have been more successful than tag rugby.

Suddenly, a game which was only available to a selection of men was opened up to just about everybody, young and old, regardless of skill.