Clare apologise to Cork over sliotar incident
CLARE have made contact with Cork to apologise after a bag containing goalkeeper Anthony Nash’s sliotars was thrown into the crowd before last Sunday’s Munster senior hurling final, .
Footage surfaced yesterday of the individual in question making his way from the New Stand side of Semple Stadium to the Killinan End terrace, which was defended by Nash in the first half.
Dressed in a Clare training top and shorts, and wearing a baseball hat, the young man picked up a red-coloured bag from behind Nash’s goal, before tossing in into the Thurles terrace.
A Clare spokesman said yesterday that joint team managers Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney are “extremely disappointed with what happened, and that it should never have happened.”
It’s believed that the culprit is related to a member of the management team and it’s understood that Moloney contacted Cork manager Kieran Kingston to extend a personal apology on the Banner County’s behalf.
Cork county board chairman Ger Lane confirmed last night that a Clare counterpart had also been in touch with him.
Lane said: “The Clare county board contacted our county board, and Clare management contacted Kieran Kingston, to apologise for the situation.
“Clare have identified who was involved in the incident, and they regret that it happened.
“Kieran and the Cork county board accepted those apologies and we move on.”
Cork will not take the matter any further, having considered an approach to the Munster Council in relation to the matter.
The emergence of the video footage has led to acute embarrassment within the Clare camp.
The move to interfere with Nash’s sliotars was not sanctioned by any member of team management, and the individual involved embarked on what was effectively a solo run.
Video footage of his exploits was captured by two people – one standing on the Killinan End terrace, while the other was seated in the New Stand.
Nash is also aware of who was involved in the incident, but expressed his desire not to make a big deal of it.
The footage shows the young man standing on the touchline, swigging from a water bottle before moving towards the Killinan End terrace.
He’s then filmed trotting behind the goal before doubling back to pick up the bag of sliotars.
After that, he proceeds to move back towards the New Stand, tossing the bag into the Killinan End terrace on his way.
Meanwhile, Cork county board officials confirmed last night that the revamped Páirc Uí Chaoimh will be officially christened with the hosting of a club match next Wednesday evening.
A board meeting officially ratified the Premier Intermediate hurling championship round 3 fixture between Blarney and Valley Rovers, which will have a 7.30pm throw-in.
The fixture should attract a decent attendance, given that it’s the first time the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh will stage a competitive game.
The scene is then set for a mouth-watering weekend of All-Ireland senior hurling championship quarter-final action there, with Clare to play Tipperary on Saturday week, followed by the meeting of Waterford and Wexford a day later.
