GAELIC GAMES/Championship 2002: The Clare County Board has moved to defuse anger in the county at the injury to left wing back Gerry Quinn. In the closing moments of Sunday's memorable All-Ireland semi-final win over Waterford, Quinn sustained a badly broken hand, which will almost certainly keep him out of the final against Kilkenny or Tipperary.

Yesterday on Clare FM's Talk Sport Quinn's brother Fergal expressed the family's anger over what they saw as a foul stroke that had gone unpunished by referee Pat O'Connor.

"Nobody has suggested," according to county PRO Des Crowe who also broadcasts on Clare FM, "that this was an off-the-ball incident, but many would feel it was a late challenge.

"I did a programme from the Burlington on Sunday night and talked to Fr McNamara (chairman of the Clare county board) and all he said was that nobody had seen the incident and that there was no evidence concerning it.

"Unless there is evidence we won't be discussing the matter any further."

Quinn is just 20 and this would have been his first All-Ireland final. He played well on Sunday after getting over the initial shock of Waterford's fine start. However it was sustained, the injury was serious.

"On Sunday Gerry went to the Mater Hospital," said Crowe, " and they kept him in overnight.

"It was a bad break of a bone in his hand but he was allowed home with the team today (Monday). But the indications are that he won't be playing in the All-Ireland final.

"His brother Fergal spoke on the radio and the family were pretty upset. It's going to be a month before the plaster and pins can come off."

The incident cast a shadow over the celebrations that followed the county's first qualification for an All-Ireland final in five years. Outsiders against Munster champions Waterford, Clare delivered a gritty display that didn't allow their opponents hurl to the standard that had eclipsed Tipperary at the end of June.

Clare were narrowly defeated by Tipperary back in May and could now be meeting them for a second time, depending on the outcome of next weekend's semi-final.

"There's no preference amongst the panel," said Crowe. "The players don't care. You hear some nonsense on the radio and that about 'Bring on Tipp', but that's ridiculous.

"There would be a lot of hype around another Clare-Tipperary meeting while a final against Kilkenny would be a totally different atmosphere. But I really don't think it would make much difference."

Meanwhile the Kerry county board are awaiting the referee's report from Sunday's county championship match between An Gaeltacht and Austin Stacks in which county captain Darragh Ó Sé was shown a straight red card.

"In normal circumstances this would bring an automatic four-week suspension. If imposed that would rule Ó Sé out of the All-Ireland semi-final against Cork on Sunday week.

"We would be expecting something within the next 24 hours," said county PRO Willie O'Connor, "and I expect there will be a meeting quite soon to discuss it."

The development was a big surprise to football followers Kerry. "The county would be shocked," O'Connor added. "Darragh has had a superb year. Every game he's risen to the occasion for us."

• A new Garda football tournament to be played on a regional basis will be held in Castlebar next month, on September 14th.

It is named after the late Sergeant Séamus Reilly, who passed away in 1999. He played for his native Mayo and was an under-age All-Ireland winner before transferring to Donegal with whom he won senior provincial honours.

At the time of his death he was manager of the Donegal under-21 footballers.

The draw is: A) Western Region v South East or Northern Region. (B) DMR or Eastern Region v Southern or Garda College.

Mc Hale Park, Castlebar is the venue for the semi-finals and final.

MAYO (U21 FC v Galway): F Ruddy; C Cafferky, R Walsh, D Geragthy; P Kelly, P Clarke, C Moran; P Navin, J Gill; M Webb, BJ Padden, E Casey; C Mortimer, A Dillon, R Moran.