Tipp chairman stands firm amid multiple criticisms

TIPPERARY GAA chairman Barry O’Brien has come under attack from Munster Council officials and the Cashel King Cormacs club for the county board’s handling of the long-running SHC relegation saga.

A Munster Council statement accused O’Brien of placing a “serious slur” on the provincial body’s Hearings Committee while Cashel have expressed “disbelief and disgust” at comments attributed to the Fr Sheehy’s clubman.

The row dates back to last September, when Ballybacon-Grange beat Cashel after extra time in a SHC relegation semi-final. But Cashel appealed on the basis that under rule, no extra-time should be played in the semi-finals and final of the relegation series. The Tipperary County Board originally ruled in favour of Ballybacon-Grange but Cashel successfully appealed to the Munster Council, who referred the matter back. The council also criticised the Tipperary board for failing to apply and follow rules and procedures.

But O’Brien questioned the “moral authority” of Cashel King Cormacs before accusing the Munster Council of “moral cowardice.”

O’Brien added that he “will not tip my head or bow to anyone on this issue”.

An official Munster Council statement slammed his remarks as “both unjustified and unfair”. A statement from Cashel King Cormacs stated the club is “bitterly disappointed at (O’Brien’s) comments”.