FORMER KILKENNY HURLER Richie Power says he hopes the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) acts swiftly and confirms whether Austin Gleeson will be cited for the faceguard incident which has overshadowed yesterday’s All-Ireland semi-final.
Waterford, who booked their place in next month’s hurling decider against Galway with a thrilling win over Cork, are facing into another disciplinary saga following the dismissal of Conor Gleeson and the incident involving Austin.
Conor Gleeson was sent off for striking with the hurley during the 4-19 to 0-20 victory, while Hurler of the Year Austin appeared to pull off the helmet of Cork’s Luke Meade during the first half.
The off-the-ball clash wasn’t spotted by referee James Owens at the time, but television replays have put Gleeson in hot water ahead of the All-Ireland decider on 3 September.
Speaking on The42 GAA Show today, Power said it was ‘madness’ from Gleeson but hopes the matter is dealt with and it’s not drawn out like the Tadhg de Búrca case which preceded the semi-final.
“It is very clear cut,” Power admitted. “It was very needless at the time but I’d prefer to see the CCCC come out in the next 24-48 hours, say what they’re going to do, don’t leave it drag on.
“It will be a cloud over it until it’s deal with and I think everyone from Waterford and I think Austin himself there will be that slight bit of worry. I’d love to see the two teams being let prepare, we’re only three weeks out. So the last thing Waterford want is another circus around will he or won’t he.”
Asked what he thought would possess a player to commit such an offence, Power continued: “I honestly don’t know. It doesn’t make sense. When I was thinking about it last night, it was just madness really.
“I think maybe when Austin done it at the time he might have realised that as well. Look it happened in front of the referee so you’d think the referee saw the incident and didn’t take action and you’d be hoping that would play in his favour.
“I’d hate to see a guy miss out on All-Ireland final day because of something like this. As I said hopefully they’ll put an end to it pretty quickly because the last thing Waterford want is this dragging out very similar to the Tadhg de Búrca case.
“It has to be a distraction personally. Derek [McGrath] said it wasn’t and obviously they prepared as well as they did and their performance spoke in that regard. You saw with Adrian Tuohy, the CCCC came out the Wednesday morning I think it was. I just hope they do the same with Austin.
“Okay if he is going to be cited, come out and say it and let Waterford deal with it and decide what they’re going to do.
“For me I’d just let the two teams prepare now for an All-Ireland final which is going to be an unbelievable occasion because there’s two new teams there.”
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I’m a Villa fan and I’m not as confident about avoiding relegation – 14pts from the last 63 available.
And that manky new kit looks like it belongs in the Campionship!
Re: Liverpool. When you say ‘the anonymous Nuri Sahin’ , you do know he wasn’t in the starting 11 today.
Hi Barry,
Yes I’m aware of that fact, hence saying that Enrique was deployed in the midfield spot usually reserved for Sahin.
When I wrote about Sahin being ‘anonymous,’ it was in the context of his last three or four league appearances for Liverpool.
Thanks for the comment.
The most important thing that every reader has learned today is that Wigan have just awoken a sleeping giant.
If Suarez deservedly gets a 3 match ban for his dirty stamping incident, that giant will be in for a rude awakening! Who will score the goals then?
reina :P
Totally disagree about Spurs, brilliant half-time subs from AVB saw us give it a real go. Hell of an improvement on Harry.
Have to agree with you. Tony never seems too have any opinions of his own and spouts off the usual sky sports nonsense.
I respectfully disagree (and I wrote the bit on Spurs btw). The game was over by that stage, and any team can play well when the pressure’s off.
Well then we both disagree then Paul. I waiting for a piece thats new and thoughtful. My brother is Cameron Lancester who is in Spurs reserves. He tells me the Spurs squad is untied and enjoying football under AVB.. Contary to popular opinion but players were not happy with Harry. He froze out many at the club. Spurs are missing 4-5 key players through injury aswell. But team spirit and morale is high
Well it’s fine saying the spirit is high, but the evidence on the pitch suggests otherwise unfortunately. And it’s not a specific dig at AVB, the players are just as culpable, if not more so. We’ll have to agree to disagree I guess.
Nothing to do with spirit. Spurs defence is utter shite
I think the bit on Giggs was a bit harsh, if I was writing a piece on United tonight it would be about how although Valencia looks outstanding when given space behind a defence to run into, when you are organised and defend deep he has no imagination to break you down. Also, Rooney is still our best player, was missed terribly and needs to play higher up the pitch when he returns.
Without the sending off, Spurs would have taken it by 2-3 goals. Arsenal are still a shambles in their own half.
Shane Long has to be the story of the weekend, another man of the match performance, helping WBA into 4th place . Ireland are blessed to have a player of his quality, pity Trap doesn’t appreciate him.
Too true, then Trap is so far past it he is an embarrassment. And his decisions prove that every game..!
I also disagree with the Spurs comment. Watched the game as a neutral and after ten minutes Spurs could have been two nil up despite arsenal hogging possession. Meanwhile arsenal hadn’t created one chance. Sending off completely changed the game but even despite that and spurs still not having all that much possession it could have been 4-3 had bale passed to Defoe rather than shot in the 73rd minute. Had it gotten to that score line I have no doubt it would have cued the inevitable arsenal collapse and it would have been a draw. Arsenal looked good today but only because they played against ten men. Against 11 it was only going one way.
Shane Long was on fire today…plus a nice little double on both teams to score Arse v Spurs & QPR v Southampton. Get in.
5pur2
Shane Long is the future standard of Irish football, he reminds me of a young Robbie keane