News round-up: The Clare County Board have pledged their support to Gerry Quinn in the event he is charged by the GAA's Games Administration Committee for indiscipline arising from last Sunday's clash with Henry Shefflin. They have also condemned what they see as trial by media since the game.
"The whole incident has been blown out of all proportion, especially by the Sunday Game," said county PRO Des Crowe in direct reaction to comments made by RTÉ hurling analysts Larry O'Gorman and Tomás Mulcahy. Both condemned the action that led to the Kilkenny hurler needing an operation on his eye.
"There is a lot of bad feeling in Clare towards certain sections of the media. It was an accidental incident. Naturally, I would feel very sorry for Henry Shefflin if he was to miss the All-Ireland semi-final - he is a great player and a gentleman - but it wasn't deliberate," added Crowe.
"Gerry Quinn is not a dirty player and if he is invited to GAC he will be rigorously defended by the Clare County Board."
The GAC have yet to announce any charge against the Corofin clubman. If they do find him guilty of striking he could face a three-month suspension, while if the verdict is dangerous play it could be just a month.
The disciplinary committee meet on Saturday in Croke Park to discuss the melee at last week's All-Ireland minor quarter-final between Cork and Laois.
The next twist in the Longford referee controversy is likely to take place next Thursday night. Eugene Murtagh, an intercounty referee sent off for verbally abusing a referee while playing a club match, is expected to appear before the county's GAC committee on that night.
Murtagh has requested a personal hearing after the report of match referee Mick Doherty was read out at last Tuesday night's meeting of the GAC.
Sources in Longford say the same meeting received a letter from Murtagh asking for a personal hearing.
Murtagh and his son Eugene jnr were both sent off in the match.
Meanwhile, the GAA have announced the winners of this year's McNamee awards.
The awards are presented annually in recognition of outstanding contributions by individuals and groups in the field of communications.
The award for best article in a provincial newspaper went to Frank Rogers of the Ulster Herald for his column on the death of Tyrone's Cormac McAnallen.
Kieran Shannon of the Sunday Tribune won the prize for best article in a national newspaper for an interview with former Tyrone footballer Frank McGuigan.
The award for best local radio programme went to Southeast Radio's Countdown to Croker, produced by Alan Corcoran.
Recently retired Western People journalist Terry Reilly was accepted into the Hall of Fame after 40 years of service, 27 as editor of the paper.
The nine category winners will receive their awards from GAA president Seán Kelly in the Burlington hotel on August 28th.
Tickets for this Sunday's All-Ireland hurling semi-final between Kilkenny and Waterford will be on sale today from the ticket office in Croke Park (11 am to 7 pm).
A small number of tickets have been returned by county boards ahead of tomorrow's football quarter-final double bill between Armagh and Fermanagh and Tyrone and Mayo and they will also be on sale but only from 2.30 pm and while stocks last.
Students who purchase full-price tickets for the Canal End for Saturday's games will receive a refund of 20 at Block D, Stiles 2 to 5, at the back of the Cusack Stand, on production of a valid and current ID.
Students who purchase full-price tickets for the Canal End for Sunday's games will receive a refund of 25 at the same stiles.
