Munster move to formulate new sideline arrangements

Munster Council chairman Sean Kelly will convene a meeting of inter-county managers in the province later in the year to thrash out a policy on the sideline access to be allowed team officials.

"Whereas everyone has to abide by the regulations," says Kelly, "I am slightly unhappy that the question of making switches (during a match) hasn't been addressed. This has to be looked at because managers have a tough job which they have to do under pressure. The GAC make the decisions on this, but we enforce them and should have an input."

Kelly's comments come against the backdrop of Clare hurling manager Ger Loughnane's expulsion to the stand for Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final against Offaly.

Loughnane had the ban imposed by the GAC after last season, but an amnesty was granted at the start of this year's Munster championship - on the grounds that Loughnane undertook to abide by regulations on encroachment. Although the Clare manager gave a written undertaking, he has shown comprehensively recidivist tendencies and the ban has been re-imposed on the recommendation of the Munster Council.

The manager's absence will be one of a number of difficulties facing Clare on Sunday. Full back Brian Lohan is already out because of a one-month suspension picked up after being sent off in the Munster final replay, together with Waterford's Michael White.

Furthermore, right wing back Liam Doyle sustained an injury in the same match and is only off crutches now and undergoing intensive physiotherapy. Whereas the selectors are hopeful, Doyle's potential absence is unsettling.

This is particularly so in the light of Colin Lynch's date with the Munster Council this Friday. At the meeting, he will answer charges arising from video footage of the match. If he receives a suspension, Clare will be fast approaching loss of critical mass.

"That would be three All Stars," according to team trainer and selector Michael McNamara. "We're hoping Liam Doyle will come through, but it's a nasty injury to the ligament just above the ankle."

Clare will name the side this evening and it will in all probability include Doyle - and Lynch. "We will be selecting from the players available to us," says McNamara. That includes Lynch for the time being.

Friday's meeting appears crazy scheduling - hearing a disciplinary case two days before a big match and nearly three weeks after the incidents took place. Sean Kelly defends the provincial council by pointing out that after the original meeting last Friday, it was necessary to give Lynch seven days notice of the hearing. Clare were approached to see if they wanted to waive the seven-day period and have the hearing tonight, but in the absence of a response, the original date holds.