Griffin attacks past presidents for Rule 42 Congress snub

FORMER ALL-Ireland SHC winning manager Liam Griffin has slammed the decision of past GAA presidents not to amend Rule 42 before Congress.

Griffin, who led Wexford to the All-Ireland title in 1996, said that he was disgusted by the announcement.

"There are 14 or 15 different agenda going on here and this should have been debated. It's nonsense, it's not an army of occupation that is going to take over our stadium. The bottom line is we are just renting a pitch to play on, no more, no less.

"I have to say Con Murphy was a great man, Jack Boothman also a very fine man but this is a wrong decision. I'm from the game of hurling and I'm watching my game dying on its feet and yet nobody is getting excited about that and I'm telling you I believe that they are trying to shaft the hurling development committee as we speak.

"We have spent six to eight months work trying to change the face of hurling and there are elements out there now trying to get votes to shaft us as well. So we have people who think they know what is best for the Association and that's not fair. There is also the politics of money the money the Government owes the GAA, they messed up the vote the last time with the money, the Government still owe the GAA e36 million.

"They have promised €3.79m for rugby development yet only €1.3m for development of the GAA. There is also an attempt to marginalise the current President of the GAA who wants to do stuff differently," he told Newstalk 106fm last night.

Meanwhile, Limerick centre-back Peter Lawlor is almost certain to miss the remainder of the league.

The Croom player damaged two bones in his elbow in the defeat by Tipperary and, according to a team source, will be out of action for at least four weeks.

Manager Padjoe Whelahan is also concerned about the fitness of corner- back Mickey Cahill, who sustained a leg injury against Tipperary. Niall Moran is on the treatment table too.

The team to play Offaly in Birr will be announced tonight. Offaly, also due to announce their team tonight, report no injury problems.

Unbeaten Galway have left a vacancy at right half-forward for Sunday's clash with neighbours Clare at Pearse Stadium.

Gerry O'Loughlin sustained a leg injury in the scintillating victory over All-Ireland champions Kilkenny last time out and will undergo a fitness test later in the week. Otherwise the Galway side is unchanged.

Outstanding centre-back Sean McMahon is expected to return after missing Clare's opening two games because of injury. He came through a challenge game with Offaly over the weekend unscathed. But full-back Brian Lohan, who missed the victories over Laois and Dublin because of hamstring trouble, broke down in the challenge and is certain to miss out.

Cork will not announce their team to play Antrim at Casement Park until tomorrow night because of injury doubts surrounding Timmy McCarthy, John Gardiner and Joe Deane.

McCarthy has a broken small toe, while Gardiner has a broken finger and both are expected to be sidelined. Deane, recovering from an ankle injury, may be among the substitutes.

Kilkenny have a major injury doubt about Allstar centre-forward Henry Shefflin. He damaged a knee in last weekend's challenge against Tipperary in which the Cats conceded five goals.

But fellow Allstar Peter Barry, who has not played since October, is expected to make his first league appearance of the season.

Wexford are awaiting a fitness report on Keith Rossiter before finalising their team. The wing-back sustained a knee injury while assisting Waterford IT in their Fitzgibbon Cup win over the weekend. Tomas Mahon (knee) and Barry Lambert (hamstring) are also causes for concern. Declan Ruth is ruled out however, after being sent off in Wexford's game with Cork.

GALWAY (SH v Clare): L Donoghue; D Joyce, S Cloonan, O Canning; D Kavanagh, T Og Regan, F Moore; D Tierney, F Healy; AN Other, M Kerins, D Forde; A Kerins, E Cloonan, D Hayes.