GAA dismiss Loughnane’s ref claims

The GAA has emphatically rejected suggestions made by Ger Loughnane that Cork influenced the selection of the referee for the All-Ireland final hurling replay last year against Clare.

Former All-Ireland-winning manager Loughnane said it was “widely believed” that Cork had blocked the appointment of Ryan to handle the All-Ireland final replay, which was eventually refereed by James McGrath.

However, GAA officials said last night that the “views of participating counties carry no weight in that decision”.