Kilkenny secretary criticises Loughnane's comments

Kilkenny secretary Pat Dunphy has accused Ger Loughnane of "speaking out of turn" and asked the Galway manager to back up his claims of Kilkenny "savagery" with specific examples.

Loughnane hit out at Kilkenny's defenders, accused them of "flicking, belting across the wrists" and predicted "savagery" at Croke Park next Sunday.

Dunphy responded: "I'm not quite sure where he's coming from here. If he can give an instance of this 'savagery', then we'll talk to him. But he shouldn't come out like that without quoting specific instances. He's obviously trying to get at the ref."

Dunphy added: "Before the Clare game he (Loughnane) came out as well and spoke about Clare people he had worked with and who had worked with him.

"That was surprising and I don't know where he's coming from here either but he's speaking out of turn.

"I'm sure people in Kilkenny have their own opinions. He speaks about Kilkenny defenders but if he can come up with an act of 'savagery' that Jackie Tyrrell, Tommy Walsh or JJ Delaney committed, that's fine."

Dunphy also revealed he had not received notification of Sunday's match referee by midday yesterday, something he found unusual. "Normally I'd get an email on a Monday, or very late on Tuesday morning. But I hadn't received it by 12 o'clock," he added.

u Laois football boss Liam Kearns has confirmed physical trainer Eddie Jackman has parted company with the squad.

Jackman has left his post following last Sunday's heavy Leinster SFC final defeat against Dublin - and Kearns has no immediate plans to appoint a replacement.

Kearns confirmed: "We have agreed to part company - it was a mutual decision."

Jackman arrived as part of Kearns' backroom team when the Kerry man succeeded Mick O'Dwyer as Laois boss last year. A certified IRFU conditioning coach, Jackman has worked in the past with the Munster team and the Irish under-21 side. He introduced a new weights-based training programme for the Laois footballers at the start of the season but it is understood his role diminished greatly in recent months.

u Tipperary star Eamonn Corcoran has warned of a Wexford backlash in Sunday's All-Ireland hurling quarter final. Tipperary will start as strong favourites against Wexford, who were beaten by 12 points against Kilkenny in the recent Leinster final. But Corcoran said: "Wexford will be chomping at the bit after the match against Kilkenny - it will be a very difficult game."

Corcoran will line out at right-half back on Sunday and he has returned to top form during the qualifier series.

The long-serving JK Brackens clubman is hoping the momentum generated by the shock one-point win over Cork can bring Tipp even further. "It took a lot to regroup after Limerick but this will be the seventh week next weekend. And as a panel, we're improving and getting stronger."

Tipp manager Michael "Babs" Keating will announce his starting team after training this evening. Star forward Eoin Kelly is expected to return to the starting line-up while John Carroll and Shane McGrath are also fit again and will be available for selection.