The Munster Council of the GAA will discuss the comments made by the Clare hurling manager, Ger Loughnane, at its scheduled meeting in the Limerick Inn on the Clare border tonight. Among the matters which are expected to be raised is the possibility of a libel action against the local radio station, Clare FM, who broadcast an interview with Loughnane on Wednesday in which he commented on the possible outcome of tonight's meeting.

The main matters on the agenda will be an investigation into the behaviour of the Waterford manager, Gerald McCarthy, during the replayed Munster hurling final in Thurles when, it is alleged, he made abusive verbal comments to the referee, Willie Barrett, and to an umpire.

Also up for consideration will be allegations about the behaviour on the pitch of the Clare midfielder, Colin Lynch. It is believed that a video tape recording of the match will be used in this investigation as well as the report of the referee.

In the interview on Clare FM, Loughnane accused the Munster Council of having made up its mind about the Lynch investigation before the hearing and that a decision had already been made that he would be suspended for three months. He accused the council of hypocrisy and of conducting a "witch hunt".

"What it would seem was that a small group within the Munster Council must have met to discuss this. They tried Colin Lynch, found him guilty and delivered a sentence and announced the decision to their friends, a select few, before the meeting took place," he said. Yesterday, the chairman of the Munster Council, Sean Kelly, confirmed that the question of Ger Loughnane's comments on Clare FM would probably be raised under "any other business" at tonight's meeting.

"First of all, we will deal with the matters already on the agenda and a decision will be reached on those before any other matters are discussed," he said. "Nothing has been decided in regard to the punishments which will be handed down and both Gerald McCarthy and Colin Lynch will be allowed to defend themselves. After that, the council will decide on its course of action. It is completely wrong to say that the decision has already been made," he said.

He would neither confirm nor deny, however, that the Munster Council would be taking legal advice on the contents of the Loughnane interview but a source close to the council said: "Some of Loughnane's comments were scurrilous and he will have to answer for them."

Meanwhile, it appears that a much larger crowd of Clare supporters will be travelling to the All Ireland semi-final against Offaly in Croke Park on Sunday as a result of the controversy.

As yet, however, that has not been reflected in the demand for tickets. Yesterday, Croke Park announced that tickets for the Hogan Stand for the match will be on sale at the shop across the road from the Hogan Stand at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets will cost £18 each. Cash will be accepted at the turnstiles at all other parts of the ground.