Red card issue rears its head one more time

In anotherapparent reversal of player suspensions, Tipperary minor hurler John Boland has been cleared to play in next month's All-Ireland final against Kilkenny. The ruling followed the investigation into the on-pitch brawl in a minor championship match in north Tipperary between Boland's club Toomevara and Kilruane McDonaghs two weeks ago.

Boland was one of four players red-carded on the night, shortly before match referee PJ Cleary of Lorrha was assaulted by a Toomevara mentor in an incident which forced the abandonment of the game. The North Tipperary board investigation ended on Monday night when the match referee overturned the red cards he issued.

The decision comes less than a week after GAA president Seán McCague issued a ruling that left no room for interpretation of referee's reports by county boards dealing with cases of players dismissed with straight red cards. While the four red cards were overturned, the Toomevara mentor, Tony Delaney, received a 48-week ban for hitting the referee.

The GAA, meanwhile, have announced that Dublin referee Aodhán Mac Suibhne will officiate at the All-Ireland Hurling Final between Kilkenny and Clare on September 8th. Mac Suibhne has already refereed this year's Munster final between Waterford and Tipperary and the recent All-Ireland semi-final meeting of Kilkenny and Tipperary. The minor final will be refereed by Cork referee Diarmuid Kirwan.

Elsewhere, the Laois football board have confirmed that they will attempt to appoint Mick O'Dwyer as the county's new manager over the coming days after club delegates gave their full backing at a board meeting on Monday night. While O'Dwyer has expressed interest in the job, he has yet to hold detailed discussions with the board.

This week's fixtures

SATURDAY

All-Ireland MH B championship semi-final: Carlow v Kerry, Nenagh, 12.0, T Holian (Galway).

Senior hurling tournament final: Limerick v Tipperary, Birr, 3.15, J Guinan (Kilkenny).

All-Ireland IHC final: Tipperary v Galway, Birr, 5.0, P Neary (Kilkenny)

All-Ireland Under-16 C hurling final: Sligo v Monaghan, Enniskillen, 3.30, J McGrath (Westmeath).

SUNDAY

All-Ireland SFC semi-final: Dublin v Armagh, Croke Park, 3.30, M Collins (Cork).

All-Ireland MFC semi-final: Longford v Derry, Croke Park, 2.0, J Geaney (Cork).