Galway referee Michael Curley, who was criticised for playing only 17 seconds over-time in the Connacht final between Mayo and Sligo, when Sligo were attacking and trailing by a point, has explained his position in an interview with the Connaught Telegraph. In the interview he says that he never allows extra time unless for serious injury when medical attention is needed. He also denied a rumour circulating in Connacht, and particularly in Sligo, that he had ended the match abruptly in the belief that the teams were level at the time only to discover later that Mayo were a point ahead.

"I never, at any stage, said or thought the sides were level when I blew the final whistle," he told the Telegraph. Asked why he had allowed only 17 seconds over-time, he said: "I couldn't allow injury time when there wasn't any. I never stop my watch unless there is a serious injury and medical attention is needed."

The rules state that the referee is the sole arbiter as far as time is concerned. He has discretion to allow added time for injury or other stoppages such as time-wasting. In the Mayo-Sligo match, he did not make use of this discretion, although there had been a few stoppages for injury in the second half.

Both Mayo and Kerry have injury worries for their respective All-Ireland semi-finals within the next few weeks. Mayo full forward John Casey twisted his ankle severely while playing for his club at the weekend, but is expected to respond to treatment. He is not expected to play in a challenge match against Antrim in Killala at the weekend, however.

Kerry have been hit by an injury to John Crowley, who came into the attack against Clare in the second half of the Munster final against Clare. He fractured a finger in a club match at the weekend and it is believed that he will not be available for Kerry's All-Ireland semi-final against Cavan.

Tickets for the Canal End and Hill 16 terraces at Croke Park for the football and hurling matches on Saturday and Sunday will be on sale today from 8.30 to 6.30pm. Tickets costing £8 and £7 will be available at a ticket outlet opposite the Hogan Stand turnstiles on Jones Road. Meath meet Offaly in the Leinster football final at 5.0 on Saturday while All-Ireland champions Wexford meet Tipperary in the All-Ireland hurling semi-final at 3.30 on Sunday.