Kerry supporters will be hoping that midfielder and ace free taker Bryan Sheehan will be fit for Kerry's first game in the back door route on July 14. Sheehan injured his knee in the quarterfinal win over Tipperary and missed the Munster semifinal defeat to Cork when goalkeeper Brendan Kealy took over the free taking duties. But the Kilcummin player was not successful, missing two '45's. Dublin's Stephen Cluxton kicked 12 points from frees last year and other goalkeepers who have been successful from '45's include Limerick's Brian Scanlon and Mayo's Robert Hennelly, but it's a recent trend in Gaelic Football to see goalkeepers come upfield to take '45's.
LONDON MOVE UP
After their recent win over Wicklow in the Christy Ring Cup final the London hurlers are now entitled to play in the top tier MacCarthy Cup next year. London selector tom Quaid said: ''We have spoken about it and I think we are all very keen to into the Liam MacCarthy Cup, who not? I'm sure Kerry are now probably wishing they had gone up last year because the competition is fierce in the Christy Ring competition.'' With Antrim and Galway both playing in Leinster it looks like London will also be included in the Leinster championship next year, if they wish to step up to the top grade.
STATUE OF DAVIN
A planning application to erect a 9-foot statue in honor of GAA founder-member Maurice Davin in Carrick-on-Suir has been submitted to the local Town Council. The plans for the monument were recently put on display to give members of the public an opportunity to view them and put any questions to sculptor Barry Wrafter. Davin, who lends his name to one of the stands at Croke Park, is the only man to serve two terms as president of the GAA.
STYNES BRIDGE
Irish-born Aussie Rules star Jim Stynes is to have a bridge named in his honor in his adopted city of Melbourne. The "floating bridge" which will link Melbourne's docklands to the city centre along the Yarra River, will be named after the Dubliner. Jim died in March this year aged 45, after a long battle with cancer.
