Clare joint managers Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney have expressed their regret and disappointment after footage emerged of an individual who took a bag of sliotars from behind the Cork goal before last Sunday’s Munster senior hurling final – before throwing it into the Killinan End terrace at Semple Stadium.
Cork have been silent on the matter so far but there is a meeting of the Cork County Board scheduled for tonight and it’s expected that the issue will come up for discussion.
According to earlier reports, the Rebels are considering bringing an official complaint to the Munster Council in relation to the matter.
The longer video shows the man in question, dressed in a Clare training top, shorts and wearing a baseball cap on the New Stand touchline.
A supporter in the stand has his camera phone trained on the man, who is seen drinking from a bottle of water before picking up the bag.
It is not clear whether the individual in question is an official member of the Clare backroom team, but he proceeds to make his way behind the Killinan End goal, patrolled by Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash in the first half, before doubling back and picking up a red-coloured bag.
A second, shorter, video clearly shows the man taking the bag before he tosses it into the terrace and runs back to the New Stand side of the field.
It has also been reported this morning that Cork had to replace the sliotars that were meant for Nash’s use.
Speaking to RTÉ sport, O’Connor and Moloney said that they are very disappointed by the incident and that it should never have happened.
Munster Council officials are expected to launch an official investigation into the matter – and Clare may be asked to provide the identity of the man in question.
If Munster Council decide to proceed with an official charge, the individual could face a lengthy touchline ban, while Cork will also ask how he managed to get into a position where he could take the bag and then dispose of it.
