Sideline row raises policing questions

The sideline fracas that erupted during Tyrone's defeat of Dublin has raised the issue of how match regulations are enforced in the National League.

During the first half there was an argument over access to the pitch side between the Dublin management team and a local steward, who was slightly hurt in the exchange.

An apology was made to the steward at half-time and Tyrone officials later stated that they would be taking the issue no further.

Any independent interest that the Games Administration Committee might have in the matter is likely to be thwarted by the lack of any television footage, as TG4's cameras were following play at the time.

After the match, Dublin's football manager Paul Caffrey complained, "managers and selectors have to be let do their job on the sideline".

The match regulations that led to the sideline being cleared of selectors and players were introduced during the term of office of the last GAC under the chair of Páraic Duffy.

They provided for an enclosure in which replacements would sit until called into action along with selectors. Team managers are allowed on the sideline, as well as water carriers.

"When this started," he explained yesterday, "it was for the championship so there would have been provincial council or Croke Park stewards monitoring the sideline. Even in qualifier games the local provincial council would have responsibility for stewarding the fixture.

"Sunday was a home game in the league for Tyrone so they would have provided the stewards. It's the same arrangement in all league games."

Asked whether it was not risky that local stewards patrol opposition officials, Duffy made the point that so far the procedures have not caused controversy. "It seems to work fine in the vast majority of cases," he said.

Meanwhile, Tyrone captain Brian Dooher had to have six stitches to a leg wound following the win over Dublin, but manager Mickey Harte has not ruled him out of next weekend's Dr McKenna Cup final against Derry.

Dooher picked up the injury to his calf in the dying moments of the Dublin match and was stretchered off, triggering fears that he had sustained serious damage.

But Harte refused to confirm that his inspirational skipper would miss the McKenna Cup decider. "If it was anybody else you would say yes, but with Brian Dooher, you would wait and see. That's the kind of the man he is," he said.

"It must have been the studs of a boot that just came down on him after he played the ball - accidental, but the effects are just the same."

By virtue of having avoided the perceived harder side of the draw, Ballina are favourites to win next month's All-Ireland club football final.

Ahead of this weekend's semi-finals, the Connacht champions are quoted at evens to win a first title. Evens - Ballina; 11/5 - Crossmaglen; 5/2 - Portlaoise; 14/1 - Kilmurry/Brickane.

Limerick footballer Damien Reidy looks certain to join Kerry and Munster junior champions Finuge after taking up a teaching post in Listowel. However, Reidy will continue to play at county level for Limerick.

Reidy, who is a member of the Gerald Griffins club from west Limerick, is now living in Finuge.