‘O’Leary has no case to answer’

CORK selector John Corcoran was adamant last night that defender Noel O’Leary has no case to answer over the incident which left Graham Geraghty prostrate in the opening 11 minutes of yesterday’s match.

Referee Brian Crowe was on the far side of the pitch defusing a heated situation after a foul on Meath’s Peadar Byrne when O’Leary and Geraghty began to push and shove one another underneath the Hogan Stand.

Geraghty subsequently fell to the ground in what initially seemed to be a theatrical manner, but TV replays showed clearly that the Cork defender apparently connected with a fist to the face, for which he was subsequently booked.

A clarification of disciplinary procedures this summer confirmed that GAA officials may ask a referee to re-examine an incident, even if he has dealt with it during the game – as Crowe did here by showing the yellow card.

If that happens O’Leary could well find himself in hot water. He has already served a one-month suspension this summer for kicking out at Paul Galvin in the Munster final, but Corcoran rejected the suggestion that his player had done anything wrong.

“It wouldn’t even qualify as an altercation, it wouldn’t be that high up,” he said. “There was a bit of pushing and shoving and Geraghty fell to the ground. It was nothing and it is ridiculous to suggest Noel O’Leary was lucky to stay on the pitch.”

Cork’s other concern is the fitness of James Masters.

“We were told that it would be between four to six weeks. Whether time will beat him, I don’t know. It will be on the limit.”