Christy O'Connor: Dangerous head-high tackles in hurling have to be stamped out

How big an advantage to Munster counties is facing Leinster opposition at Semple Stadium? Also, is it inevitable that Kerry's David Clifford will break all football scoring records 

CONTROL: Cork's Damien Cahalane has time on his side to work the ball free of Offaly's Brian Duignan in Sunday's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final at Semple Stadium in Thurles. Pic: Tom O'Hanlon, Inpho

By the time the fourth official put up 13 minutes of additional time on the board in Thurles on Saturday evening, everybody in the ground – players and supporters – just wanted the match to end. Clare were already ahead by 10 points but the whole mood in Semple Stadium was shrouded in silence and enveloped in anxiety as David Reidy was stretchered off the field after a distressing head injury.

Clare added another raft of points in garbage time but the match was devoid of context or meaning by then after Brendan Kenny’s dangerous high tackle on Reidy left him prone of the ground for nearly 15 minutes.