GAELIC GAMES: Clare county board chairman Michael McDonagh made an official complaint to the Garda about the two-time All-Ireland winning manager Ger Loughnane after overhearing comments directed toward the hurling selector Fr Harry Bohan.
McDonagh said yesterday Loughnane's comments - about pretending Fr Bohan's head was an oilcan he was shooting at while hunting - upset his, McDonagh's, family.
Loughnane confirmed to the Irish Daily Star, for which he writes a regular column, the comments were made in jest. But McDonagh, a detective based in Kilrush, still felt the need to write a formal complaint.
"Due process will take care of it now," said McDonagh. "I was deeply upset about it all and it affected my family in a major way. We are taking it very seriously indeed. My wife has also made a complaint."
The incident arose after Loughnane called McDonagh from a landline to give his opinion on being overlooked for an award that went to Fr Bohan, for services to Clare hurling.
Loughnane failed to hang up the phone correctly and McDonagh overheard a subsequent call made by Loughnane on his mobile, when the comments were made.
McDonagh was adamant the controversy would not harm the Clare panel's preparation for the opening national league games against Down on Sunday and Wexford the following weekend.
"The backroom team is as strong as ever," he said. "In fact, I believe they have been galvanised by all the recent developments."
Nevertheless, this is the second public rift within the county this week after news broke about team physio Colum Flynn and sports-injury specialist Ger Hartmann cutting ties with the senior hurling panel.
Although county board sources do not envisage Flynn and Hartmann returning, the county PRO, Des Crowe, has not ruled out the Clare management meeting with both in the coming weeks.
"Such is the respect for those two people right across the county that I'm sure some sort of meeting will be held before the door is closed on their return," said Crowe.
The Clare manager, Anthony Daly, also insisted this week the squad are unaffected by the debacle.
"There is no turmoil in Clare hurling," said Daly. "In fact the set-up has never been as good.
"I have total confidence in the backroom team, including the medical back-up, which includes an orthopaedic surgeon, a doctor, a chartered physiotherapist, a chiropractor, a physical therapist and a masseur."
But Daly was vague in his attempts to reassure.
"In my opinion since I was appointed there have been undercurrents which could have possibly undermined the Clare set-up and these have been reflected in a number of ways," he said.
"However, we are going forward with renewed determination and 100-per-cent commitment from all for 2006.
"That is the end of the matter as far as I am concerned and we will now focus our minds on the upcoming league."
