The Cork county board has written to Niall Cahalane asking him to provide an explanation of his behaviour in the Cork county final replay between Beara and Castlehaven last Sunday week. Cahalane approached referee Niall Barrett after the final whistle and is seen to push him in video footage. Cahalane's club Castlehaven lost by three points to Beara in a tense finish. A penalty claim of Castlehaven's fell on deaf ears in the closing minutes.

Cahalane is understood to be one of several players who have been named in the referee's report. The Cork county board has asked for written explanations of their behaviour. The players have a week to reply.

Castlehaven face Laune Rangers of Kerry this Sunday in the Munster semi-final. Although both teams lost their respective county finals, the winners, divisional teams both, are prohibited from entering the provincial club championship.

Meanwhile, Eamon Cregan's return to the Limerick hurling fold has been smooth and comfortable and he and his players are now more or less marking time before the National League campaign begins in February.

In the meantime he finds that the Oireachtas competition is a valuable way to take a look at potential talent for the league and championship. "We have a squad rather than a panel, the difference being that players can come and go in the squad. The panel will be put in place later on when we have taken a good look at everybody.

"We are in a bit of a limbo at the moment but we are fortunate that we need not be too worried about being beaten by Cork and Waterford. Cork beat us by five points and Waterford by two and that is not a disaster. Losing in matches like these doesn't bother me unduly. We are glad to get matches like these and if the Oireachtas competition did not exist I would be biting my nails wondering what to do to keep things ticking over.

"There is a good spirit in the squad and the lads are enjoying playing a relaxed game without any real pressure. In that situation you can bring players into the squad and let them show what they can do. It is an ideal situation really.

"We are not doing any real training at the moment. We get together once a week under lights at the Gaelic Grounds for a light session and a bit of discussion. What we are aiming to do is to strengthen the squad in whatever way we can. Many of the players have taken a break and, of course, the Patrickswell players are now in the final of the Munster club championship so they are keeping busy before they meet either Ballygunner of Clarecastle in the final.

Cregan believes that Limerick will adapt to a different type of game when things finally settle down. "I would like to move more to the style which Offaly used. We will concentrate to some extent on more ground hurling and improve our skills all round, particularly our striking.

"The transition has been smooth and there has been a willingness among the players to make adaptations to the way we do things. All members of the previous panel will be available by the time that the National League starts in February when we will put a panel together and get down to really serious work with the championship in mind all the time," he says.