Croker chiefs to probe Harte’s television blackout claims

CROKE PARK bosses are set to investigate claims from Tyrone boss Mickey Harte that the county may refuse to allow their games be televised as the row over retrospective disciplinary action intensifies.

Broadcasters TG4 and Setanta were remaining tightlipped last night and declined to comment when contacted on the matter.

However industry experts point out that the companies’ deals to show games in the national hurling and football league is with the GAA — and not with any individual county board.

The threat of teams refusing to allow their league games be televised could have massive financial implications for the GAA.

Currently every county, regardless of whether or not their games are televised, receives a slice of the monies generated through such broadcast deals for the leagues.

However if teams refuse to allow their games to be shown, the deals, and the money accruing from them could be placed in jeopardy.

Meanwhile another trial by television row has erupted after Kilmurry-Ibrickane’s Declan Callinan received a four-week ban following an incident in Sunday’s AIB All-Ireland club SFC quarter-final. The ban rules him out of Sunday’s AIB All-Ireland club SFC semi-final.

The West Clare outfit last night ruled out an appeal after Callinan was suspended following an off the ball incident with Tir Chonaill Gaels player Kevin Downes on January 24 last. The flash-point was captured by TG4, who travelled to Ruislip to cover the game live, but Callinan was not even booked by match referee Martin Higgins from Fermanagh. Manager Micheal McDermott is resigned to planning without Callinan for the game against Leinster champions Portlaoise at Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

McDermott said: “When you’re at the mercy of committees, whatever judgment they make, they make and that’s it. Their decision is final but as a team, it could provide a rallying call for us. But it’s terrible for the player, who has given so much to the club over the years. He’s a real warrior and to see his All-Ireland semi-final ruined by video evidence is sad to see. If the incident warranted a yellow or red card, so be it and I would never defend something that should be dealt with but he has been harshly dealt with on this occasion.”

McDermott added: “We showed evidence of a picture where the referee is standing right beside the incident. He saw it but didn’t see anything wrong. The player in question sent a letter saying that Declan did not strike him but yet Declan is set to miss out on the greatest day of his career as a club footballer. Look at the National League and the game between Tyrone and Derry and all of a sudden it’s an issue. Referees are given a job to do to the best of their abilities and what happens on the field should be left there.”