Tipp defence problems worsen with Corcoran ban

Tipperary hurler Eamonn Corcoran has been handed a three-month ban by the Games Administration Committee that rules him out of his county’s crucial Munster SHC tie with Clare on Sunday.

The defender was banned after he was sent off in a National Hurling League game with Galway in Thurles last month, and was hoping for a four-week ban which would have seen him eligible to play on Sunday.

However, the GAC suspended him for 12 weeks at a meeting last night.

Galway forward Kenneth Burke, the hurler involved in the sending-off incident, pleaded yesterday for the GAC to be lenient with Corcoran.

The news comes as a huge blow for Tipp manager Michael Doyle, who is already left with a hole in his defence from the loss of full-back Philip Maher, who damaged his cruciate ligament in the league final defeat to Kilkenny.

Tipperary will be missing three backs that started the game against Clare last year – they are also without Maher’s last-line partner Paul Ormonde.

It is not yet known whether the Tipperary County Board will appeal the suspension.