Forde free to focus on qualifier

Wexford will be able to call upon the services of star forward Matty Forde for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Monaghan, despite allegations of a stamp on Offaly full-back Shane Sullivan last weekend.

The 27-year-old Forde was seen to step down on Sullivan's back while the defender lay prone on the ground during Wexford's four-point Leinster semi-final win.

The GAA's Central Disciplinary Committee not due to meet until tomorrow week however, so the Kilanerin clubman is free to play for his county in Clones.

Donegal referee Jimmy White failed to punish Forde for the misdemeanour but the clamour for a lengthy ban was sparked when the incident was replayed twice on the big screens at Croke Park while Sullivan was receiving treatment.

In previous years, controversial incidents during games were blacked out on the stadium screens and replaced by advertisements for championship sponsors. On this occasion, the person charged with monitoring the live TV feed failed to run an ad.

Pledging his support of Forde on South East radio, Wexford GAA chairman Sean Quirke said: "I assume the referee did not see the incident, or if he did, saw nothing intentional.

"The Offaly player was not seriously injured and got up and played out the remainder of the game."

Wexford's footballers are understood to be angry that they are being forced to play Monaghan just six days after their exit from the Leinster championship.

The Offaly tie had already been delayed for a fortnight, owing to the substitutions row involving Offaly and Kildare.