Promoting the GAA abroad Following the successful awarding of the player grant scheme it is pleasing to see that the GAA is to receive further financial assistance from the government as announced recently by Foreign Affairs Minister, Michael Martin. In a joint venture with the GAA the government proposes to fund more than 12 coaches who will be employed to teach our games to Irish exiles in the US and Britain. While the GAA has active members in many other countries it is fantastic to see that the two foreign lands that hold most of our Irish emigrants will be the focus of this new promotional package. The scheme, worth approximately half a million euro, is not only aimed at the promotion of our games among first, second and third generation Irish abroad but also maintaining our Irish heritage that is already well developed in these countries. This is an obvious acknowledgement from government of the role the GAA plays in sustaining the growth of true Irish values both at home and abroad and recognises that wherever Cumann Luthchleas Gael are active there soon develops a strong sense of community and a "home from home" for any Irish travellers. Over the years I have been very fortunate to have had the chance to visit GAA strongholds across the globe and with each journey my admiration has grown when I've witnessed the Trojan work being carried out by Gaels in places like Melbourne, Glasgow, London, Boston, and San Francisco. Of course these are areas where a large Irish population dwells and the GAA found growth fairly easily once its roots had been placed. Times are changing though and with the changes in emigration/immigration laws and social welfare (employment) the Irish communities are bound to be effected. The vast range of distractions and pastimes on offer in these cities (even more so than at home!) can easily erode traditional values abroad and thus weaken the GAA. Fortunately, first and second generation Irish in these countries recognise the importance of community and heritage and want their sons and daughters to become part on the GAA and follow in it traditions. The government has also recognised the value of the GAA to its emigrants and has thankfully once again gone to the coffers for assistance. Hopefully the benefits of this scheme will be easily recognised in the near future in the US and Britain and will prompt further backing for our Gaels in the more remote areas of the world. Fermanagh's resurgence as a footballing force in Ulster has been a delight to watch. As I have mentioned before it is no surprise to me, or many others, that Fermanagh has improved with Malachy O'Rourke at the helm. There rise though has been more meteoric than expected. Reaching their first Ulster final in twenty-six years is a major achievement given the opponents they have been faced with. Not only has their victories been merited but they should have beaten both Monaghan and Derry by a few points more. Having impressively reached an All Ireland semi-final in 2004 (and could so easily have been in the final) under the guidance of Charlie Mulgrew most people thought that they were punching above their weight. Perhaps they were, but their cavalier attitude to the game that brought those results was ultimately their downfall. However, the seed was sown and the potential was recognised. Harness that potential, curb the cavalier attitude, concentrate the resources, discipline, and organisation - enter Malachy O'Rourke. Along with Malachy came trainer Leo 'Dropsy' McBride and as a team they have won county championships in Derry, Tyrone and Cavan (Loup, Errigal Ciaran and Cavan Gaels respectively). Obviously it is a partnership that works. Leo acquired his footballing skills and knowledge coming up through the ranks of the Errigal Ciaran club. Having played at all club levels he also played in most positions at some time or another including goalkeeper (hence the nickname 'Dropsy") and gradually worked his way into management and training via underage and eventually senior level. Malachy has tasted success at both playing and management levels. The Derrylin man was a Fermanagh regular for many years and has also won a Sigerson cup medal with St Mary's, Belfast and tasted championship success with Errigal Ciaran in Tyrone. His management skills were honed at St Josephs, Enniskillen before taking up senior management. A well grounded, experienced team to start with. Malachy also added Paul Coyle and Peter Leonard to his backroom team. Of course the main contributing factor to this successful campaign is the team of players themselves, many of whom are experienced campaigners from the 2004 team. The commitment, work rate and total concentration displayed by these players was admirable and could be used by many managers as an example of "that's what it takes to win" to show their charges. Talent is also a vital component and perhaps too many observers have been slow to recognise this in attackers such as Eamon Maguire, Mark Little and Ryan Keenan who are continually feeding off great players like Marty McGrath, Ryan McCluskey, and of course Barry Owens. It is unfair to isolate players for special praise in this team because it is the whole that is secret of this team's success. Another vital ingredient for success that is evident throughout this squad - hunger! Tyrone's early exit from the Ulster championship was very disappointing and while it was not a major shock it was indeed a surprise. Not a shock for the simple reason that the injury list deprived Mickey Harte of some very important players but surprising given the relevant league performances of both teams. Much had been made of the absence of Stephen O'Neill, Owen Mulligan, Raymond Mulgrew, Enda McGinley and Brian McGuigan, and rightly so, but I thought that a quicker supply of ball to the industrious Tyrone full forward line in Newry, where Sean Cavanagh was outstanding, would have created enough openings for a Tyrone victory. Following a defeat the management will always come under scrutiny and positional changes and tactics will always be criticised but supporters should be realistic and not let their heart rule their heads. Defeat is always hard to take, especially when your team is expected to progress, but one more look at that injury list (that grew substantially on the night) and reflection on what was a brilliant match in Esler Park we can take a lot of positives from this encounter and expect progression in the qualifiers. Ross Carr has proven himself to be a shrewd manager and is finally getting his team to perform at a level that he knows Down football should be at. Further progress can now be expected in the next year or two. Calls for Mickey Harte to step down are premature to say the least and this defeat will weigh heavily with Mickey and every effort will be made to ensure progress in the qualifying stages. Congratulations to Wexford and Jason Ryan on reaching their first Leinster final in fifty-two years with their well merited victory over Laois. They remain the only unbeaten team in the country at this stage and along with Fermanagh, Down and Westmeath they have totally torn up the form book and shown just why we all find the championship so exciting. Last year Monaghan and Sligo lit up the championship. Can one of these teams go a step further? Who knows - it's championship. Tweet

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