Friday's GAA In The Papers

Catch up on all the latest news, views and GAA-related rumours in www.gaa.ie's latest daily feature, GAA In the Papers.

Hurler of the Year Michael Fennelly, speaking to the Irish Examiner, says he is looking forward to Sunday’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1A opener against Tipperary.

“It’s a great way to start the league and it’s a great way to make sure we’ve both woken up,” says Fennelly. "It’s always great playing Tipperary, a great team — one of the best in the country, so you can’t get much better than that. You can really learn from these games — pick up on things.

"When you play the better teams with the best players, you gain experience. It’s where it brings you on as a hurler."

Cork selector Seánie McGrath is confident that his former team-mate Seán Óg Ó hAilpín will slot back in seamlessly to the Cork midfield for Saturday’s Allianz League clash with Waterford.

"Sean Óg is an adaptable kind of player and he’s played there before for Cork,” McGrath told the Irish Examiner. “Obviously he’s someone with great leadership on the field, though when Jimmy Barry-Murphy brought him back he made it clear that Sean Óg was a player first and foremost, but he can offer you both.”

The Irish Times reports that the GAA has issued a warning about the use of modified helmets ahead of the opening weekend of the 2012 Allianz Hurling League.

Sineád Quinn, the GAA’s risk and insurance manager, has urged players not to tamper with their headgear because figures indicate that facial injures have dropped since the wearing of helmets was made compulsory.

“The message from Croke Park is clear – do not modify your helmet,” said Quinn in the Irish Times. “Helmets were made compulsory with player welfare and safety in mind and this has greatly reduced the number of injuries that have been incurred in the sport. But the modification of helmets is lessening the effectiveness of the compulsory rule.”