Padraig Joyce is in Connacht football squad

These include the revelation that the medals cost �200 a piece.

If one was a cynic, it would be fair to suggest that the groundwork is being prepared for some kind of Railway Cup mercy-killing by Croke Park in the near-future.

But it's a fact that spectator interest in this competition has dropped dramatically in recent years.

And despite claims to the contrary from players, they don't seem too bothered about being involved either.

Take this year's Leinster Football team as an example.

There are no Dublin players in the 25-man panel while several other high-profile players have declared themselves unavailable.

Of the four provinces, Ulster probably take the competition most seriously.

Anthony Tohill: Misses Ulster's game

That won't prevent Ulster being hammered by Connacht in Saturday's Hurling semi-final at Templemore (1400 GMT).

However, the footballers will be well-organised for their clash with Connacht at Killarney (1430).

Despite being without the likes of Anthony Tohill, Kieran McGeeney, Enda Muldoon and Benny Coulter, Ulster have a decent chance of defeating Connacht.

That's even though the Connacht panel includes nine members of Galway's All-Ireland winning side.

These include Padraig Joyce, Richie Fahy, Kevin Walsh and Derek Savage.

Connacht Champions Roscommon are also well-represented with Francie Grehan and Frankie Dolan among their players in the squad.

Brendan Devenney played in Australia

The Ulster team, managed by Brian McEniff, includes three men who played for him in the recent International Rules series in Australia - Sean Martin Lockhart, Cormac McAnallen and Brendan Devenney.

Saturday's other football semi-final sees Leinster taking on Munster at Tralee (1430).

Ulster hurlers face mission-impossible against Connacht at Templemore.

The standard of the Ulster game has never been lower - as emphasised by Antrim's heavy defeat by Dublin in the Division One relegation play-off last weekend.

Saturday's second hurling semi has Leinster tackling Munster at Nenagh (1430).

The hurling final takes place at Nenagh on Sunday (noon) with the football decider fixed for Killarney (1430).

Ulster Railway Cup teams:
Football: M McVeigh (Down), E McNullty (Armagh), S M Lockhart (Derry), M Crossan (Donegal), R McMenamin (Tyrone), C McAnallen (Tyrone), Paul McFlynn (Derry), P Brewster (Fermanagh), P McGrane (Armagh) captain, B Dooher (Tyrone), D Marsden (Armagh), S O'Neill (Tyrone), S McDonnell (Armagh), P Canavan (Tyrone), B Devenney (Donegal). Subs: S McGreevy (Antrim), C Gourley (Tyrone), D McDermott (Monaghan), A McCann (Armagh), C Holmes (Tyrone), A Forde (Cavan), J Gildea (Donegal), G McCartan (Down), R Gallagher (Fermanagh), J McEntee (Armagh), M Hegarty (Donegal), J Reilly (Cavan).

Hurling: C Clarke (Down), S Wilson (Down), C McEldowney (Derry), M Kettle (Antrim), P Kelly (Derry), G Savage (Down), G Biggs (Derry) captain, A Wallace (Donegal), C Cunning (Antrim), G McGrattan (Down), C McCambridge (Antrim), N Sands (Down), P Richmond (Antrim), P Graham (Antrim), P Braniff (Down). Subs: K Stevenson (Derry), M McCambridge (Antrim), C Herron (Antrim), G Adair (Down), C Kelly (Antrim), J O'Dwyer (Derry), M Coulter jnr (Down), D McDermott (Donegal), E Graham (Antrim).

Connacht (SF): A Keane, K Fitzgerald, R Fahy, T Joyce, K Walsh, J Bergin, P Clancy, D Savage, P Joyce (all Galway); J White, F Grehan, C Connelly, D Gavin, M Ryan, S O'Neill, F Dolan (all Roscommon); J McKeown (Leitrim); E O'Hara, D Sloyane (Sligo), P Burke, N Connelly, T Mortimer, C McManamon (Mayo).