Flynn promises to ‘engage’ young players as GPA boss

DUBLIN footballer Paul Flynn has been named as the Gaelic Players Association’s new chief executive. The five-time All-Ireland winner succeeds Dermot Earley, who departed the role in January after less than a year, and will commence his term this September. Flynn has been on the GPA board and National Executive Committee since 2012. ‘My vision is to build on the great work of our previous leaders and to engage the next generation of players,’ said the 31-year-old. ‘Players will be at the heart of all GPA decision-making and the association will remain unrelenting in its pursuit of members’ interests.’ Flynn (right) is currently employed as a commercial director with Lincoln Recruitment, the company tasked with overseeing the recruitment for the GAA director general position which was ultimately filled by finance director Tom Ryan. Meanwhile, the Ulster Council have thrown the book at the Armagh Under 20 football team after their controversial semi-final against Tyrone. After a mass brawl involving players from both teams, 10 Armagh players — six starters and four substitutes — have been banned for the provincial final against Derry, with manager Peter McDonnell indicating they will appeal the decision. Armagh eventually prevailed on a 2-22 to 0-24 scoreline after two periods of extra-time at the Athletic Grounds. Elsewhere, with a Munster hurling final place up for grabs, the Clare team to face Limerick at Cusack Park in round five of the provincial hurling championship shows two changes from the one that beat Tipperary in Semple Stadium last weekend. Seadna Morey comes in for David Fitzgerald at wing-back while Podge Collins starts at right corner-forward in place of Conor McGrath. Limerick are unchanged, Aaron Gillane on the bench after missing out against Waterford due to suspension. Dual player Eoin Cadogan is back in the championship hurling arena, named at centre-back in the Cork team to face Waterford tomorrow. Luke Meade also returns with Mark Ellis and Dean Brosnan losing out.

CLARE (SHC v Limerick): D Tuohy; P O’Connor, C Cleary, J Browne; S Morey, D McInerney, J Shanahan; C Galvin, C Malone; P Duggan, T Kelly, D Reidy; P Collins, J Conlon, S O’Donnell.

LIMERICK (SHC v Clare): N Quaid; S Finn, M Casey, R English; D Byrnes, D Hannon, D Morrissey; D O’Donovan, C Lynch; G Hegarty, K Hayes, T Morrissey; S Flanagan, S Dowling, G Mulcahy.

CORK (SHC v Waterford): A Nash; S O’Donoghue, D Cahalane, C Spillane; C Joyce, E Cadogan, M Coleman; D Fitzgibbon, B Cooper; L Meade, C Lehane, D Kearney; S Kingston, S Harnedy, P Horgan.