Whelahan to face GAC amid threat of sideline ban for club final

BIRR manager Pat Joe Whelahan is one of a number of high-profile personalities invited to a meeting of the GAA’s Games Administration Committee in Croke Park tonight.

Whelahan is understood to be facing a sideline ban for next month’s AIB All-Ireland club hurling final against Dunloy for encroaching on to the pitch during the team’s recent semi-final game against Athenry in Ennis. Athenry forward Eugene Cloonan, who was sent off during the game, is believed to have taken up the option of a personal hearing at tonight’s meeting.

Waterford hurler John Millane is also due before the committee, in respect of an on-going hearing, while Kerry forward Colm Cooper will have his case dealt with. He was sent off in the recent Allianz National Football League game against Galway, following an innocuous striking offence, which wasn’t seen by the referee. Cooper, who will not be attending the meeting, was dismissed after the referee consulted with his umpires. However, the defender who provoked the incident escaped censure.

The GAC expect to finalise the issue involving Kildare over their failure to name their five substitutes in the recent league game against Sligo. A ruling against them could result in the loss of the two points after they won the game by a point.

The American city of Phoenix, Arizona, is the destination for the 2004 Vodafone Allstars tour.

Both the 2002 and 2003 hurling Allstars will play an exhibition game in the city in the last week of January.

The venue was approved by the Management Committee of the GAA after receiving an invitation and detailed submission by Phoenix Gaels GAA Club.

It will be the first time that an official tour has visited the state of Arizona.

Vodafone Ireland Chief Executive Paul Donovan said he was delighted with the interest shown in hosting the Allstars. “The Irish community in Phoenix is clearly very active and their plans for hosting the tour are very exciting,” he said.

Meanwhile, Limerick dual star Stephen Lucey is posing a problem for Limerick hurling manager Dave Keane.

UCD will be claiming his services on Thursday when they play in the Sigerson Cup quarter-finals against Queens and, if they advance, it could mean another two days of Sigerson duties.

On Sunday, Limerick football boss Liam Kearns will want Lucey to spearhead their league challenge against Offaly in Kilmallock.

This would cause a dilemma for Keane, who is likely to include the Croom player in his team to play Tipperary in the NHL at Semple Stadium on Saturday, 2.30 throw-in.

Other Limerick dual players Conor Fitzgerald, Brian Begley and John Meskell have made themselves available to both sets of selectors for weekend action.