£20m Páirc Tailteann plans get Royals’ seal

÷MEATH GAA clubs have given their unanimous backing to the redevelopment of Páirc Tailteann. With planning permission secured for the planned 21,000-seater stadium, a major fundraising initiative is now planned to help ease the burden of the €20m project. A Development Committee, which will handle the bulk of the fundraising initiatives, has been set up with a target of raising €2million over the next two years. ÷THE Clare County Board is expected to contest the suspension of county footballer Jamie Malone. Malone was red-carded after an incident in last Sunday’s Allianz League Division 3 clash with Tipperary, whose selector Shane Stapleton was hospitalised for 48 hours as a result. Stapleton was released from hospital yesterday and it is expected that Malone, who pushed the Tipperary selector, will be hit with a twomatch ban for physical interference of an opposition team mentor. However, Clare chiefs, who have reviewed footage of the incident, are expected to argue that there was no intent by Malone, and that the player’s momentum carried him over the sideline, leading to what they will claim was an accidental clash. ÷SATURDAY’S Dr McKenna Cup final clash between Donegal and Tyrone has been switched to the Armagh Athletic Grounds. The final had been due to take place in Celtic Park but with Derry’s rescheduled Allianz League tie against Offaly taking place at the venue on Sunday, the Ulster Council opted to change venues. Tyrone are seeking to win Ulster’s preseason competition for a seventh year in a row.