GAA launch investigation into Quinn’s hand injury

CROKE PARK’S Games Administration Committee has launched a probe into the circumstances of the serious hand injury sustained by Clare’s Gerry Quinn at the end of Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Waterford.

The Clare defender received a blow in an off-the-ball incident late in the game, which resulted in a broken bone in the back of his hand, which is likely to rule him out of next month’s final. Clare spokesman Des Crowe said his board were pleased with this latest development but stressed that the Clare County Board had not sought an investigation into the incident. “Our chairman has said all along that it was up to the appropriate authorities to look into what happened and take the necessary action. We are glad the investigation is coming from the GAC, and happy its being done this way. In fairness to the Waterford player involved and their team management, to Gerry Quinn and the Clare County Board, let it be sorted out one way or another.

“Gerry was either struck off the ball or he wasn’t and let the GAC sort it out once and for all. It’s over and done with as far as we are concerned. While the operation went well, the player and his colleagues are a bit down after what happened. It’s too early to say whether he will be fit for the final or not. He has a lot going for him. He’s a fine healthy young man with good healing powers, but time isn’t on his side.

“One thing I am sure of, and I’m not talking for our coach Cyril Lyons here, Gerry Quinn will be given until twenty-five past three on the day of the All-Ireland final to be ready. That’s how important he is to the team. What’s happened is past tense now. All our focus from here on will be the final. We have no preference who we play. Either way, it’s going to be another great occasion for the people of Clare.”

Waterford PRO Paddy Dunphy said it was the first he had heard of a pending investigation. “We are completely in the dark concerning an investigation and won’t be making any comment on the matter.”

In a separate development yesterday, the Wexford referees’ dispute has cost Dickie Murphy his chance to officiate at Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final between Kilkenny and Tipperary. Croke Park’s GAC has confirmed that Dublin’s Aodhán MacSuibhne will take charge of the second semi-final as Murphy is unable to officiate due to an unresolved dispute regarding refereeing matters in Wexford. “Naturally I’m very disappointed, but I can understand the GAC’s decision,” said Murphy. “It’s Croke Park policy that if you are not refereeing in your own county, not to appoint referees for inter-county games from that county. I had hoped the dispute in Wexford would have been settled this week, but that hasn’t happened.

“I’ve haven’t refereed too many big games this year and looked on Sunday’s match as a bit of a bonus. I sincerely hope the Wexford dispute and my withdrawal from Sunday, doesn’t come against me.

“There aren’t too many big games left this year.”

Both the County Disciplinary Committee and the members of the Wexford Referees Association met under mediator and county senior hurling team manager Tony Dempsey TD, on Wednesday night, but following five hours of talks, no settlement was reached.

The referees are holding out for an apology for their official Syl Doyle, whose report into the sending off of two players, Pierce Donoghoe and Robert Swan during in a county league game, was set aside. With the County Disciplinary Committee failing to move regarding their procedure adopted in accepting video evidence in relation to the incident, both sides have failed to agree a formula of words which would end the strike. As a result the county’s weekend championship programme will be lost for the second week in succession. Meanwhile, David Durkin is, as expected, out of the Sligo team for Sunday’s SFC quarter-final replay against Armagh in Navan.

Durkin has been handed a four week suspension after being sent off in the drawn game.

The GAA also confirmed that tickets for tomorrow’s Dublin v Donegal replay will go on sale from the ticket office at the rear of the Cusack Stand in Croke Park from 11a.m today while stocks last.

Tickets for Sunday’s Guinness All-Ireland hurling semi-final will also be on sale from 11am today from the same outlet.

GAA chiefs also expressed their disappointment at the reported damage to the Sam Maguire Cup, and has requested an early report from the Galway County board on the matter.

The Galway County Board has been requested to return the cup to Croke Park so that immediate repairs can be carried out.