GAA probe opens into minor game fracas and Shefflin injury

THE Games Administration Committee has begun its investigation into the disgraceful scenes which followed the drawn Cork/Laois All-Ireland minor football quarter-final in Limerick on Saturday.

They will also begin another investigation into the controversial incident the same day in the Guinness quarter-final replay in Thurles after television pictures identified Gerry Quinn as the player involved in the incident which led to Henry Shefflin’s eye injury.

Shefflin’s appearance in next Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford is considered only ‘a possibility’ at this stage.

GAC chairman Tony O’Keeffe confirmed that the committee had taken a formal decision at a meeting in Croke Park on Sunday to hold an investigation into the brawl after the minor game. Described as one of the ugliest incidents ever to occur after a GAA game, it led to a number of people being hurt, among them the Cork doctor, Dan Crowley.

The GAC have received the referee’s report and they have requested footage of the brawl from the television company which covered the game.

While the scenes have seriously embarrassed the GAA leadership, Mr O’Keeffe said that it would be inappropriate for him to comment on them, or on the incident in Thurles.

Regarding the Shefflin injury, he indicated that the matter would be discussed at a special meeting next Saturday.

"The Committee will look at anything that’s drawn to its attention,” he commented in relation to the RTÉ Sunday Game exposé of Gerry Quinn. He said there was an agreement with RTÉ that footage of this nature shown on television would automatically be supplied the following day.

The Kilkenny County Board have not made a call for an investigation into Shefflin’s injury. A spokesman for the board said, because the team was playing on Sunday it was improbable they would decide to look for one at this stage.

The official attitude is that ‘it’s now in the public domain’ and it’s up to GAC to take action.

One Kilkenny officer I spoke with was fuming over Shefflin’s injury, pointing out he had seen the incident.

And, just as Shefflin was seen to confront Gerry Quinn after the game, it was revealed that around the same time Kilkenny officers voiced their anger with Clare officials. And, they didn’t make the customary visit to the losers’ dressingroom.

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody, who told reporters he had not seen the incident, said yesterday that the issue of Shefflin’s involvement in the game wasn’t an immediate priority: "It will be a medical decision obviously. We can’t even think about it at this stage. Our only concern is that Henry is going to be okay and that there will be no damage to his eye.”

Shefflin was taken to Ardkeen Hospital in Waterford on Saturday evening and underwent exploratory surgery. He was allowed home on Sunday afternoon.

Down and Tyrone will meet in one semi-final of the All-Ireland minor football championship, while Kerry are due to meet either Cork or Laois on the other side.

However, there is a possibility Kerry could have a straight run through the final, with speculation rife that Cork and Laois could be thrown out of the competition and heavy fines imposed.