Galway hurling manager Ger Loughnane has expressed puzzlement over allegations that his team were guilty of roughing up opponents Tipperary in Sunday's National Hurling League match in Pearse Stadium.

The charge was levelled by Tipperary hurling manager Michael "Babs" Keating, who had criticised Galway's tactics. Speaking on local radio station Tipp FM, he accused Galway of "nasty stuff, bordering on thuggery".

He said: "I don't think the officials did Tipperary any favours. Managers are curtailed by Croke Park from expressing views but I'm not going to sit idly by and see what happened to Pa Bourke, Willie Ryan and Paul Kelly - there was bad temper displayed on those three.

"We're asked to apply a lot of discipline and the spirit of the game but that didn't apply . . . I'm not going to blame Ger Loughnane or anybody but Croke Park sent out six officials to look after the interests of the Tipperary players.

"As I say, I am curtailed and the penalty is on me but I'm not going to sit idly by . . . nasty stuff, bordering on thuggery. Officials are there to do that job and it didn't happen. If Croke Park think I'm going to stay quiet when I see that happening to young lads we're trying to promote and encourage to play hurling, I won't tolerate that."

In response Loughnane said he was mystified at his Tipperary counterpart's charges. "I'd say everybody there would be mystified. It was the tamest affair. There was hardly a booking in the game. There were no incidents and no hold-up for a row. I didn't see any thuggery. Afterwards no one mentioned any bad physical challenges or any instance of rough stuff.

"If you have a fault with Galway the fault would be the lack of physical aggression in the tackle. The only player receiving medical attention that I remember in the match was Fergal Moore for a bang on the eye and chin, which was totally accidental."

The match was a high-scoring affair with Galway hitting 26 points although Loughnane was disappointed his side conceded three goals and that it failed to create any goal chances. He was also surprised that the match officials had come under fire from Tipperary.

"Maybe he's just upping the ante because Galway supporters were very unhappy with the referee. After the match people were pointing out that two incidents, which should have been frees for us, led to goals. I saw John Leahy talking to the ref at half-time and was wondering why because Tipp seemed to be getting everything."

The win placed Galway back on top of what has turned out to be a very competitive Division One B but if surprise contenders Dublin can win tomorrow's postponed match against Antrim in Casement Park, they will take over at the top and book a place in the play-offs.

Tipperary are at the mercy of other results if they are to progress and will play Dublin next weekend in the final round of matches. Unless Antrim win the deferred match, however, Tipperary won't have any chance of reaching the play-offs although they will be anxious to get themselves out of the relegation places.

•Footballer of the year Kieran Donaghy could be sidelined for eight weeks after dislocating the AC joint in his shoulder during Kerry's National League Division One A defeat to Donegal on Sunday but the full extent of his injury will not be known until later this week when he visits a consultant.

Kerry county chair Seán Walsh confirmed yesterday the news about the player, just back after a one-month suspension. "Kieran went for an X-ray before leaving Letterkenny and it was confirmed he had dislocated his AC joint in his shoulder. He is obviously very sore and will be out of football for some time. What can be said for definite is Kieran will play no further part in the National League and will be out for a minimum of two months, so our opening game in the championship on June 3rd is probably the earliest we can hope to see him back in action."