GAELIC GAMES: Tony O'Keeffe, the chairman of the Games Administration Committee (GAC), has cleared up any controversy surrounding the 12-week suspension imposed on Tipperary hurler Eamonn Corcoran.

There was, according to O'Keeffe, sufficient evidence that Corcoran had been reported for a strike with the hurley after receiving a red card during the closing moments of Tipperary's league meeting against Galway on April 20th. Clarification had been sought by the GAC on how the incident was brought to the attention of match referee Pat Aherne of Carlow, which was confirmed to have been done by both the linesman and fourth official.

Corcoran had already been given a personal hearing at the previous GAC meeting a fortnight ago and having examined the clarification on Wednesday night the GAC had little option but to impose the 12-week suspension, which is automatic for a strike with the hurley.

Corcoran, Tipperary's wing back, is thus ruled out of Sunday's Munster championship clash with Clare, and will miss all championship action until July 13th - the weekend of the final round of the hurling qualifier series.

Doubts had surrounded how Aherne had in fact been informed of the incident (which he hadn't seen), and whether it was the fourth official alone who, under the rules, is not covered to carry out that function.

"What was crucial was that both the linesman and the fourth official were consulted by the referee on the incident," said O'Keeffe, "and that was clearly indicated in the clarification report that we had sought."

One Tipperary source confirmed that in the clarification report it was stated: "That both the linesman and the fourth official had seen the player strike across the body of an opponent with force."

The Galway player involved, Kenneth Burke, stated earlier this week that the incident was mere pushing and shoving on the final whistle, and Corcoran, who had never been previously sent off at any level, had all along remained hopeful that he could be cleared.

Yesterday the news of the suspension was shattering: "I just don't want to go into it at the moment," said Corcoran, "except to say that I'm devastated, and really sick about the whole thing.

"But I just want the rest of the boys to get on with the job they have to do on Sunday. I had been building myself up to play as well, but right now hurling is the furthest thing from my mind."

The other main matter to be decided by the GAC this week was the alleged stamping incident of Tyrone centre back Gavin Devlin in the National Football League final against Laois On May 4th, and having examined the video evidence it was decided that Devlin would be charged for the offence, which also carries a 12-week suspension.

The player, however, must also get a personal hearing on the charge, which is now set to take place tomorrow because of his scheduled involvement in the Ulster first-round game against Derry in Clones on Sunday.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte earlier this week went ahead and named Devlin in his team, but it now seems likely that a replacement will have to be at the ready. The television pictures from Croke Park clearly captured Devlin bringing both boots down on the legs of Laois forward Colm Parkinson, and although the county board have been arguing that it was a natural reflex action, the chances of the player being cleared at this stage have to be regarded as slim.

If the full suspension is enforced Devlin will be out of action until July 27th - a period which includes the entire Ulster football championship and just one week short of the quarter-finals of the qualifier series.

Several other suspensions were also announced yesterday: In hurling, Mathew Boland (Down) and Jerome Quinn (Sligo) received four weeks from April 20th and Martin Williams (Westmeath) four weeks from April 27th.

In football, Colm Morris (Wexford) received four weeks from April 21st - which had already ruled him out of last Sunday's championship match against Laois - and James Mitchell (New York) received four weeks from May 4th.

It was also confirmed that the All-Ireland hurling preliminary round qualifier between Kerry and Westmeath, originally scheduled for Sunday in Nenagh, has been postponed a fortnight to May 31st at Kerry's request.