Morris assault row ‘rests with Leinster Council’

THE Wexford County Board have refuted suggestions they are failing to support their star defender Colm Morris.

This is in the aftermath of an alleged assault by a Dublin mentor during last Sunday’s O’Byrne Cup senior football clash, claiming it is a matter for Leinster Council.

Having discussed the content of the referee’s report at a county management committee meeting on Wednesday, the board have issued a statement: “An incident in the second half of the game between Wexford and Dublin is referred to in the referee’s report. The matter now rests with Comhairle Laighean.”

Now the board have denied reports they are loath to pursue the matter, while denying that by doing so they are undermining Morris.

Following the game, Morris spoke of having been struck on the head by the Dublin mentor who had come onto the pitch to speak with corner-forward Tomas Quinn.

Leinster Council secretary Michael Delaney claimed the referee’s report was vague and that he had written to both the Dublin and Wexford County Boards seeking “their observations” on the matter.

In the wake of their meeting, the Wexford board are adamant the Leinster Council have sufficient information in the referees report to take action.

A board spokesman has said: “We’ve seen the referees report and discussed its contents. The offending Dublin official is not alone named in the report but is also reported for carrying out a specific action against the Wexford player.

“This essentially means it’s a matter for the Leinster Council to take the necessary action, by carrying out an investigation, with no need for Wexford to make any observations. All that is needed is contained in the referee’s report.”

Meanwhile, All-Ireland champions Tyrone will kick off TG4’s live GAA coverage for the new season.

Tyrone’s clash with Dublin in Omagh on February 5 will be followed by deferred coverage of Derry v Galway and highlights of Kerry v Mayo from the previous evening.

The Datapac Sigerson Cup and Fitzgibbon Cup, Suzuki Ladies Football Leagues and the All-Ireland stages of the AIB Club championships will also be shown.

TG4 GAA coverage (to St Patrick’s Day)

Feb 5: Tyrone v Dublin, Omagh, 2.30pm; deferred: Derry v Galway; highlights: Kerry v Mayo (from Saturday evening)

Feb 12: AIB All Ireland Club SHC semi finals: James Stephens (Kilkenny) v Portumna (Galway) 2:30pm; deferred: Ballygalget (Down) v Newtownshandrum (Cork); highlights: Cork v Kerry (from Saturday evening)

Feb 19: All Ireland Club SFC semi-finals, Kilmacud Crokes v Salthill-Knocknacarra 2:30pm; deferred: St. Galls v Nemo Rangers.

Feb 25: Datapac Sigerson Cup Final, live from Parnell Park, 7.30pm

Feb 26: Allianz Hurling League Round 2: Tipperary v Kilkenny Thurles, 2.30pm; deferred, Cork v Waterford, Páirc Uí Rinn.

March 4: Datapac Fitzgibbon Cup Final, Páirc Uí Rinn, 5pm.

March 5: Allianz Football League Round 3: Tyrone v Cork, Omagh 2:30pm; Deferred, Armagh v Galway.

Highlights: Dublin v Offaly (from Saturday evening)

March 12: Allianz Hurling League Round 3, Football League Round 4 2:30

March 17: AIB All Ireland Club Hurling and Football Finals.