Banner unites behind Quinn

CLARE GAA have united behind hurler Gerry Quinn following his controversial clash with Henry Shefflin in last weekend’s All-Ireland Hurling Championship quarter-final.

In a statement issued last night the Clare County Board, players and team management said it fully accepted Quinn’s explanation that it was accidental.

However, they asserted that they were distinctly unhappy with some of the media comment about the incident and said they would be taking the matter further.

The full statement is as follows: “The Clare GAA county board, the players and team management would like to put on record their regret at the injury sustained by Henry Shefflin in last weekend’s All-Ireland hurling quarter final replay in Thurles.

“We would like to convey our good wishes to Henry for a full and speedy recovery and our express wish is to see him fit to take his place on the Kilkenny team for Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Waterford.

“Having viewed the video and listened to the explanation from Gerry Quinn, we are satisfied that the injury happened accidentally. He has spoken to Henry Shefflin, who accepts that.

“The issue was debated in detail at a meeting held by the aforementioned parties and arising from that, we wish to state that we will be fully supportive of and 100% behind Gerry Quinn in his explanation of the incident.

“We protest in the strongest possible terms at some of the coverage, and in particular at the comments from the panellists on The Sunday Game on August 1. We wish to make no further statement at this time, except to say we will be pursuing the matter.”