MEN'S HOCKEY / News: The short version of the story is that Stephen Butler will not be playing for Leinster in this weekend's interprovincial series in Cork.
Because of that his side can conservatively deduct three or four goals from whatever total they accumulate over the two key games against Ulster and Munster in Garryduff.
That the player of the tournament at the European Championship Trophy in Rome last month and Ireland's top scorer at the championships, as well as being arguably the best player in Ireland at the moment, will miss the tournament is a little more than disappointing. Butler's presence in the midfield of any team combined with his enviable short-corner conversion rate makes him a class above interprovincial level.
Given Irish coach Dave Passmore had tagged this tournament as one to watch for players as he thinks about how Ireland can qualify for the World Cup next spring in China, he's probably bemused over Butler's non-participation.
Of course he has been briefed on the reasons but that does not help the Irish coach's hopes of having a competitive weekend. Last year's competition limped to a conclusion after the teams rebelled about the scheduling and once again the event is tinged with controversy.
Butler is not in Cork because he feels he was unfairly criticised and verbally attacked by a Leinster official during a Leinster League game between Glennane and Three Rock Rovers, a game in which he scored the three Glenanne goals in a 3-1 win.
The player, and others who were at the match, feel strongly that it was made clear Butler was told he was not wanted on the provincial team. Glenanne subsequently wrote a letter to the Leinster Branch expressing their dissatisfaction over the matter.
Efforts involving one of the most respected former international players in the country, David Judge, were made to bring the two parties (Leinster and Butler) together but to no avail. What will happen next is anyone's guess but as Glenanne have sent their letter of complaint there is due process that must be followed by the branch. It is probably not the end of the matter.
Butler, understandably, wishes to distance himself from the entire mess and the end result is that he is missing out on a series of quality matches. And as always there are a number of views as to what happened in St Mark's and a number of views regarding efforts to smooth out the problem. The Leinster Branch are, unsurprisingly, not prepared to talk about it just yet. When asked about the issue yesterday their "no comment" was pretty firm.
The important factor in the interprovincial tournament these days is not who wins but simply that the weekend provides a high-level series of games for the top players, games they sorely lack playing for clubs within a provincially-driven structure.
That Justin Sherriff will also not be involved simply removes Leinster and Ireland's top two players from the equation and really questions the credibility of the competition, although their absence will no doubt give younger players a chance to show in what is a critical year internationally.
But Glenanne are fuming, Stephen Butler is disappointed, the Leinster team are weakened. Not a great start for Garryduff or China.
TODAY: Interprovincial Tournament: Munster v Leinster, 8.0, Garryduff; SATURDAY: Leinster v Ulster, 3.30 Garryduff; Leinster Senior League: Division One: Avoca v Railway 1.45, Newpark; Division Two: Kilkenny v Skerries, 1.0, Kilkenny College; Bray v Suttonians tba; Weston v UCD, 1.15, King's Hospital; St James Gate v Clontarf, 1.15, Iveagh Grounds; Portrane/StB/PP vs Naas postponed. SUNDAY: Interprovincial Tournament: Munster v Ulster, 1.30, Garryduff.
