Give Rebels a break, pleads board

The Cork County Board last night sprang to the defence of its players who were subjected to heavy criticism on online forums.

Captain Michael Shields and Eoin Cadogan, as well as manager Brian Cuthbert, came in for stinging abuse after the 12-point loss to Kerry.

Cork PRO Tracey Kennedy tweeted: “Wish people would be more restrained in their public criticism of individual #GAA volunteers — no player or manager goes out to lose a game.”

Speaking last night, she said: “A number of players and the manager were singled out for fans’ vitriol. Criticism of individual players on a public forum is not right. It might be grand down the pub or whatever but imagine these young lads and reading that? Their parents and partners too.”

Meanwhile, several of Wexford’s senior hurlers such as Jack Guiney and Conor McDonald face a gruelling schedule of three knockout championship games in the space of seven days after it was confirmed their U21 Leinster final against Dublin will go ahead this Wednesday evening.

Wexford’s thrilling extra-time qualifier draw with Clare in Ennis on Saturday means the pair must go at it again in Wexford Park next weekend.

It had been thought the U21 decider in Parnell Park would be postponed. On Wexford’s official Twitter account yesterday, it had been stated the game would definitely not go ahead on Wednesday.

However, it was confirmed by Leinster GAA authorities yesterday that the game will go ahead on the original date.