The Dublin County Board has received limited applications for the new position of full-time director of hurling. The seven applicants have been called to interview tomorrow evening.

Dublin chairman John Bailey, however, remains confident the successful candidate will be of the right calibre to implement the development plans for hurling in the county. He said the list of applicants would be kept confidential until the interview process was concluded, but each candidate had been requested to prepare a 10-minute presentation on their plans for Dublin hurling.

A six-man interview board was set up several weeks ago, of which Bailey chose not to be a member. Instead the interview board is made up of representatives from the Leinster Council, Croke Park and Dublin.

"What is most important about this interview process is that we get the best man for the job," said Bailey.

"But I'd be confident that this is the right opportunity. We've also had good encouragement and support from Croke Park and the Leinster Council."

It is hoped the position, which was advertised in November and is known to come with an attractive financial package, will become operational within the next month.

"Obviously a lot will depend on when the successful candidate can end his current employment."

Among those known to have had been contacted about the position was former Tipperary manager Nicky English, although he is not believed to be among the final applicants. It is also known that several of the applicants are from outside the county.

The Dublin County Board has also set March 28th as the date for their decision on the proposed development plan for Dublin GAA, originally drawn up by the Strategic Review Committee (SRC). The county board and the GAA's management committee have failed so far to agree on who should chair the special committee responsible for implementing the plan, which has earmarked €25 million for investment over the next five years.

The management committee believes the chairman should be independent, while Dublin are insisting the role should automatically go to their county chairman. The 10-man committee will consist of two representatives each from Croke Park, the Leinster Council and the Dublin County Board, plus four independent appointees with expertise in various areas.

The plans to put up floodlights at Parnell Park have also been stalled because of problems with the electricity station in the area. It was discovered the power would not be enough to run the lights, and a separate station will now be built on the site, at a cost of €50,000. Planning permission will also be required, and it will be next winter before the floodlights will be in use.

The official Dublin GAA website, meanwhile, yesterday launched a mobile phone text alert service. Subscriptions can be made at www.hill16.ie and choices include team news on the night of selection and local league and championship results.