LIMERICK have been fined £2,500 for a number of transgressions relating to match presentation during last month's All Ireland hurling final.
The fine, imposed by the GAA's games administration committee (GAC), will be announced officially on Monday night. The fine covers at least three offences of which Limerick have been deemed guilty.
These include the controversial, early withdrawal of the team from the pre match parade, perceived disregard for protocol as the President, Mrs Robinson, was being presented to the teams, and tan untimely return onto the pitch by the Limerick players during half time which disrupted the official entertainment in progress on the field.
The Limerick secretary, Jimmy Hartigan, would not comment on the fines yesterday, because he had not received official notification.
But the team manager, Tom Ryan, was outraged. "What a scandalous way to be treated," he said. "It's a downright shame, especially for a team with a record like ours. In three years no Limerick player has been dismissed from the field of play."
Ryan added: "I apologised to everybody for anything that happened after the match and again the following day. I felt our young players, had suffered from nerves.
The £2,500 fine is the largest imposed on a county board solely on the grounds of match presentation relgulations.
The fine is indicative of the GAA's toughening attitude and resolve to take firmer action against transgressors, whether on and off of the field of play. For example, the Leinster Council on Monday night overwhelmingly rejected an appeal by Dublin's St Vincent's club against a £2,000 fine.
Limerick's fine is still far short of the Leinster Council's £7,000 fine on Dublin and Wexford two years ago following the mayhem that had reduced their Leinster championship senior hurling clash to a shambles.
The GAA's "get tough" policy is expected to be much in evidence again on Monday when the GAC deliver on their findings on the fracas that marred last month's replayed All Ireland football final.
The Meath and Mayo county boards expect to face fines of up to £10,000. Also, some of the 15 players requested to appear before the GAC have become extremely wary of the whole scenario, and it seems a few may not have an awful lot to say as a result.
Meanwhile, Wexford's new hurling manager, Rory Kinsella, has named Padge Courtney and Eddie McDonald as selectors for the coming year. Courtney still plays for Rapparees and will line tout for the club in Sunday's county semi final against Cloughbawn.
Oulart The Ballagh's defeat in the championship means that Martin Storey will be relinquishing captaincy of the county.
An 18 day holiday in the sun for the Wexford squad is arranged for January. It will be funded by the county board, the clubs and commercial sponsors.
Martin McHugh's decision to assist the Donegal team of exiles in New York last weekend has raised a few eyebrows down Cavan way.
The Cavan manager had opted tout "for a break" before his team opened their first Division One campaign in 14 years against All Ireland champions Meath in Navan last Sunday. McHugh's decision was readily accepted, and Donal Donohue was put in charge as a caretaker manager.
McHugh had brought Cavan from Division Three to Division One in a three year spell at the helm, but his action at the weekend is considered "incompatible" by many in Cavan.
McHugh played the last 20 minutes for Donegal's exiles in the New York championship semi final, and is understood to be returning for the final against Westmeath on Sunday week.
Cavan officials maintain that McHugh will be returning to look after their team in the new year.
It was confirmed yesterday that 11 of the 17 teams who had entered for the All Ireland B football championship this year have withdrawn.
Fermanagh footballers will be trying four their longest sustained run of victories since 1992 when they go in search of a fifth on the trot against Roscommon in the B semi final at Carrick on Shannon on Sunday.
The new format for the All Ireland hurling championship, whereby the Munster and Leinster runners up will re enter the race for All Ireland honours, has forced a change of date for the Leinster football final.
Next year's decider will be played on the first Sunday in August, rather than the last Sunday in July. Two quarter finals of the hurling championship will be played on July 27th.
