BRIAN and Luke Comer, the Irish brothers who tried to take over Aston Villa back in 2005, have held preliminary discussions with a view to sponsoring a revived senior club in their native Galway.

The Comer Group, their international commercial property company, sponsored Meath GAA between 2010 and 2012 and they have also invested heavily in horse racing, with Luke training from his base in Meath.

Talks are ongoing in Galway to resolve the complicated League of Ireland picture in the city, with Mervue United and Salthill Devon flying the flag in the First Division after the demise of Galway United.

Supporters of the latter set up the Galway United Supporters Trust (GUST) with a view to rebuilding their club. They have engaged in fundraising and met with potential sponsors.

A steering committee of interested parties brought together by the FAI have held a series of meetings in an attempt to reach an ideal-world scenario where Galway is represented at senior level by one entity.

It is complicated by the implications for Mervue and Salthill, who both have successful schoolboy set-ups but have struggled to compete at adult level in the Airtricity League.

The steering committee met last night, with the FAI refusing to comment on developments.

UCD player in race row to meet Elding

THERE are hopes that the dispute between UCD and Sligo Rovers over the alleged racist abuse of Bit O'Red striker Anthony Elding will be resolved privately by a meeting today.

Elding was enraged by a comment which was made in Monday's Airtricity League clash between the sides and informed match official Dave McKeon, who mentioned it in his referee's report.

UCD and Sligo were asked to submit further information, and the PFAI have also become involved in the case. The UCD player accused strongly disputes the allegations labelled at him, and has received the support of his club.

He will travel to Sligo with a union rep today to meet with Elding and hopefully resolve their difficulties.

Rovers return on

the cards for Kenny

STEPHEN KENNY will bring Dundalk back to his former employers Shamrock Rovers in the second round of the EA Sports Cup. It is the standout tie from yesterday's draw in Abbotstown.

EA Sports Cup second-round draw:

(Ties to be played May 20-21)

Pool 1: Limerick v Waterford; Wexford v Cork

Pool 2: Finn Harps v Derry; Sligo v Mervue

Pool 3: Bohemians v Bray; Salthill Devon v St Patrick's Athletic

Pool 4: Drogheda Utd v Longford; Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk

Irish Independent