Ger Loughnane is bringing the Galway hurlers to the racetrack this evening - but it will be far from an evening of fun as he introduces them to his idea of physical training. The new Galway manager and trainer Louis Mulqueen have identified a track in Tubber in Clare which they will use for the next few weeks as they start their preparations for next year.

The track is used for training horses but the Galway hurlers will now use it as Loughnane rolls up his sleeves with his new charges.

The racetrack is located just across the Galway border and Loughnane and his side will use it along with training bases in Clarinbridge and Garbally College in Ballinasloe.

Loughnane took his first session with his new charges in Clarinbridge on Tuesday night when 50 hurlers were put through their paces.

All of the 2006 championship squad have been invited in along with a number of former players such as Diarmuid Cloonan and Mark Kerins.

Galway Hurling Board secretary John Fahey said there had been a very positive reaction to Loughnane's appointment, both from players and supporters.

"The hard work begins from here and everyone knows that. Training bases have been identified. Around 60 players have been identified and that will be an ongoing process."

Carlow County Board chairman Eddie Byrne has promised to do whatever it takes to rid the county of the type of post-match scenes that marred last Sunday's Leinster Club football tie between Palataine and Offaly champions Rhode at Dr Cullen Park, even if it means erecting barbed-wire fences in the ground.

Referee Pat Fox was felled to the ground by a disgruntled Palatine supporter after the final whistle, an occurrence that has been heavily criticised by Byrne.

"There is no place for behaviour like that in our game" said Byrne. " It's ludicrous and a disgrace that a referee should be struck after a match. No one deserves that."