GAC invite referee to talks over club allegation against him

THE Waterford County Board investigation into the incidents which marred the recent senior hurling semi-final between Ballygunner and Lismore has taken a dramatic and potentially very serious turn following an allegation against referee Michael Wadding.

The allegation, in writing, has been made by the Lismore club and has already been considered by the Games Administration Committee.

Officially no one is commenting about the allegation, but so serious is it being viewed by the GAC members that they are inviting the referee to meet with them and to respond if he wishes.

Wadding, one of the best known referees in the country, sent off four players in the semi-final, three from Lismore along with Ballygunner’s Paul Flynn, who now misses next Sunday’s final against champions Mount Sion at Walsh Park. County chairman Paddy Joe Ryan refused to discuss the investigation when contacted yesterday. However, he did confirm that a further meeting of the GAC has been convened for tomorrow night.

Two Lismore players, Brendan Landers and James Shanahan, a younger brother of county star Dan, have been summoned to the meeting. The indications are that Paul Flynn and Lismore midfielder Michael Walsh, who were both given straight red cards, will escape with a one-month ban. The fifth player sent off, Michael O’Sullivan, is eligible to play as his dismissal was for a second yellow card offence.