Sport

Allegations of racist abuse of Cork hurler

Allegations that racist abuse was used in an attempt to upset the Cork half back Sean Og O hAilpin during last Sunday's Munster…

By SEAN KILFEATHER
Thu Jun 25 1998 - 01:00

Allegations that racist abuse was used in an attempt to upset the Cork half back Sean Og O hAilpin during last Sunday's Munster hurling semi-final have been widespread in hurling circles during the last few days.

O hAilpin was born in Australia of an Irish father and a Fijian mother. He has lived most of his life in Cork and has been a major force in Cork hurling in recent times.

Now, it is alleged that an opponent or opponents sought to upset him on Sunday last at Thurles by making remarks about his colour and parentage during the match when Cork were beaten by Clare.

Attempts to contact O hAilpin or the Cork County Board during the last 48 hours have proved fruitless.

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However, Clare sources, including players who have refused to be identified, have rejected suggestions that racist abuse was used at any time during the match. It has been pointed out by an observer that O hAilpin and members of the Clare team shook hands and chatted in the corridor to the dressing-rooms as they left the ground and that no complaints were made at the time.

Meanwhile, the Derry selectors have left a vacancy at left corner forward for their match against Armagh in the Ulster championship semi-final at Clones on Sunday. As the team was being announced last night the fate of Joe Cassidy, sent off in a club match a week ago, was still unresolved.

Cassidy , who was sent off while playing for Bellaghy against Slaughtneil in a county championship match, will be available for action against Armagh if he gets the minimum two-week sentence. But, depending on the referee's report, this could be for a longer period, in which case he will not be available for Sunday's match. The Derry line-up shows only one other change. David O'Neill is selected at right half back in place of Johnny McGurk who was injured in training during the week. Anthony Tohill and Dermot Heaney again team up at midfield.

Derry (SF v Armagh): P McCluskey; K McKeever, S M Lockhart, P Diamond; D O'Neill, H Downey, P McFlynn; A Tohill, D Heaney; G Magill, D Dougan, E Burns; J Brolly, S Downey, A N Other.