Clare full back Brian Lohan and Waterford forward Michael White both received one-month suspensions last night from the Activities Committee of the Munster Council for incidents in the Munster hurling final replay last Sunday week.
While White will thus be available for Waterford's All-Ireland semi-final with Kilkenny, Clare will have to do without Lohan's services when they face Offaly on Sunday week. Both will be available for the final, if the teams reach that stage. There had been speculation that a three-month ban could have been imposed if either player had been disciplined under 137 A (3) which deals with striking with the hurley.
Clare's PJ O'Connell, who was sent off in the first Munster final clash was also given a month's suspension, which means he will be available for the semi-final on August 9th.
The committee, meeting in Limerick, also handed out fines of £2,500 to the Clare County Board and £1,500 to Waterford for breaches of match regulations. Other fines handed out were £600 for Limerick and £300 to Kerry for similar infringements.
The bans on the two players were decided on following a study of video evidence, referee Willie Barrett's report, and brief interviews with both players.
The committee will meet again next week to consider other incidents which occurred during the Munster final and have indicated that they will interview further individuals associated with the game.
Lohan and Whit were sent off in the opening minutes of the match in Thurles last Sunday week, a game characterised by ill-tempered early exchanges.
Lohan, the highly-regarded Clare defender, and White became embroiled in a serious trading of blows minutes after the game had begun and both were sent to the line by referee Willie Barrett.
Last night's meeting had failed to reach a decision by 11 p.m. Brian Lohan has been a pivotal force in Clare's recent successes and his absence from the semi-final may dent their hopes.
Waterford recovered admirably from the fall-out of the Munster final game, storming past Galway in Sunday's All-Ireland quarter-final despite White's absence.
