GAC invites Quinn to meeting to investigate off-the-ball incident

CLARE hurler Gerry Quinn, who received a hand injury in an off-the-ball incident in the All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford, has been invited to attend tonight’s meeting of the GAC at Croke Park.

Representatives of the Clare and Waterford County Boards have also been invited to the meeting. The GAC ordered an investigation into the incident after a public outcry by Clare officials.

Clare County Board chairman Michael McNamara challenged the GAC to find and punish the Waterford culprit.

Quinn took his place in the final, wearing a protective glove.

Fr McNamara said: “There are always going to be knocks in games, but things that happen off the ball are very, very serious matters.”

Quinn suffered a break to a bone in his hand, which required surgery in a Dublin hospital on the night of the match.

Fr McNamara, Clare County Board secretary Pat Fitzgerald, Waterford chairman Pat Joe Ryan and Waterford secretary Seamus Grant attended a previous meeting of the GAC, but at Clare’s request, the Quinn incident was held in abeyance until after the All-Ireland final.

Meanwhile, one of Micky Moran’s mentors yesterday confirmed he was interested in becoming Donegal boss.

And Michael Oliver McIntyre said that there was potential in the squad.

The Glen man was a member of Moran’s back-room team, served terms with Declan Bonner, and managed the under-21 team in the early 1990s.

“I have been thinking about it very seriously,” McIntyre said.

“If Martin McHugh had been interested, then I would not have gone forward,” he said.

“But it’s something that I have been interested in for a long time.

“Donegal showed loads of potential against Meath and we could have beaten Dublin on the first occasion.”

Former All-Ireland 1992 star Donal Reid is another candidate.

St Eunan’s manager Nicky Houston is also said to be interested and Ballyshannon boss Sylvester Maguire has his supporters.

Tipperary, meanwhile, have left a vacancy at centre-back for Saturday’s All-Ireland IHC final replay against Galway in Birr (3.30pm).

Colin Morrissey picked up a hand injury in a club game last weekend and is undergoing treatment.

Ruled out for Tipp is Mark Keeshan. He suffered a broken collarbone playing in the North divisional SHC final last Sunday against Toomevara.

Keeshan did not start in the drawn match, but make a huge contribution when introduced in the second half, scoring 1-3.

Keeshan’s absence means Dan Hackett will start. Hackett missed three gilt-edged chances at goal in that match and will welcome the opportunity to make amends.

This is Galway’s last chance at an All-Ireland hurling title this year, and the under-21 final defeat in which five intermediate players were involved, has done nothing to enhance their chances.

Team coach Vincent Mullins was concerned about the fitness of Justin Campbell, who suffered a serious knee injury in the drawn match.

Campbell did not start the first day as he had not been training, but made a huge impact when introduced, scoring three crucial points. He should be an automatic choice for Saturday’s replay if he can prove his fitness.

Galway will not announce their team until after training tomorrow night.

TIPPERARY (IH v Galway): F. Horgan; J. Griffin, M. Peters, B. Gaynor; C. Ryan, AN Other, C. Everard; S. Maher, J. Teehan; B. Hogan, B. Stritch, P. Buckley; G. Maguire, D. Hackett, S. Everard.