THE GAA's Games Administration Committee has decided against taking any action arising from well documented incidents in the All Ireland senior football semi final between Meath and Tyrone at Croke Park on August.
The GAC's decision in not requesting certain players to give an account of their actions will cause surprise, if not dismay, among certain sections annoyed with what they have seen on the match video.
All aspects of the match were presumably addressed during a protracted GAC meeting that went on until midnight on Tuesday evening. The report of the referee (Michael Curley of Galway) was high on an agenda that also dealt with routine business.
Curley's report of the controversial match was adopted, having been considered in conjunction with a viewing of the match video.
A statement from the GAC released yesterday afternoon reads: "The referee's report on the An Mhi and Tir Eoghain All Ireland senior football semi final was adopted. Following a viewing of the match video, in conjunction with the referee's report, it was decided that there were insufficient grounds for action to be taken."
Meath's manager, Sean Boylan yesterday shared relief at the news with the rest of the county with less than three weeks to go to the All Ireland final. Tyrone officials are believed to be none too pleased with the GAC's findings, while seemingly only one Tyrone player, Ciaran McBride, who sustained a head wound in the match has been publicly critical of Meath's display in the game.
Meanwhile, Thurles has been named as the venue for a double header of All Ireland under 21 football and hurling finals on Sunday week. The footballers of Kerry land Cavan open the programme at 2.30, with Pat Casserly of Westmeath as referee. The hurling decider between Galway and Wexford follows at 4.0, and will be refereed by Pat O'Connor of Limerick.
Saturday next will see the staging of the annual eve of the All Ireland hurling sevens, hosted by Dublin clubs Kilmacud Crokes and St Jude's.
Pat McEneaney of Monaghan "has been appointed to referee this year's All Ireland senior football final between Meath and Mayo on September 15th. It will be the 34 year old's first senior All Ireland, although he has officiated at numerous major games, including successive Ulster finals.
He also had charge of last year's, All Ireland club final. He is a member of the Corduff club in Monaghan.
His latest major refereeing assignment was this year's Ulster football final between Down and Tyrone in Clones. He had already officiated at the Ulster semi final between Derry and Down.
The referee for the minor All Ireland final between Laois and Kerry is Brian White of Wexford.
