Cork duo could face sponsorship boot

The GAA and hurling sponsors Guinness could be about to launch an investigation after two Cork hurlers were seen to sport advertisements on their boots on Sunday.

Sarsfields star Kieran Murphy and Niall McCarthy, man-of-the-match in last year's All-Ireland final, both promoted drinks company Corona, a rival to Guinness, by wearing a printed ad on the toe of their Puma and adidas boots respectively, at Sunday's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final.

The words "Corona Extra - The Ultimate Party Beer" were printed on both players' boots. With individual sponsorship deals banned within the Association, Murphy and McCarthy could be in hot water.

This is the third time in as many years that a Cork footballer or hurler has carried a sponsorship logo on his respective boot or hurley.

In 2003, Cork footballer Colin Corkery wore a Suzuki crest, while during the same season, the current Cork hurling captain Sean Óg Ó hAilpín was one of three players - Wexford duo Paul Codd and Damien Fitzhenry being the other TWO - to use a hurley bearing the name of well-known bookmaker Paddy Power.

Although Rule 14 of the GAA handbook fails to mention boots and hurleys, and it states specifically that regulations apply to "jerseys, shorts, stockings, tracksuits and kit bags worn/used for games, training, interviews and photographs".

The maximum penalty for breaches of the rule on playing gear is 24 weeks.