Ref ‘feared for his safety’ in U-21B semi-final incident

A leading Clare GAA referee “feared for his safety” at the end of the recent County U-21 B Hurling Championship semi-final in which Ballyea defeated St Joseph’s.
In a detailed report, Kevin Walsh, one of the game’s longest-serving officials and a member of provincial and national referee’s committees, said in all his years as a referee, it was the first time he had worried for his safety.
Arising from the report, suspensions of up to three months were proposed for a number of St Joseph’s members.
During the tie, St Joseph’s defender Niall Hassett was dismissed and, after the final whistle, Shane O’Connor, another of the Doora-Barefield players, was red carded.
One month suspensions were handed down to both players.
Walsh also reported four St Joseph’s supporters and one team mentor following incidents after the game.
Suspensions of two and three months were proposed for four St Joseph’s supporters. Ciaran O’Neill, Michael O’Connor and Donal Hassett each had three month suspensions proposed while a two month suspension was proposed for Seamus O’Sullivan. U-21 team mentor, Eoin Conroy, also had a three month suspension proposed.
Four of the five have had the suspensions reduced following a hearing by the County Hearings Committee last Friday. Hassett and Conroy succeeded in getting their suspensions reduced from three to two months.
O’Sullivan, the club’s PRO, had his ban reduced to one month while O’Neill, who is the trainer of the St Joseph’s senior team this year, had his three month ban reduced to one month.  It is understood that O’Connor will also be appealing his suspension.
The members of the CHC, who were re-appointed for another term at the April meeting of Clare GAA, are Scariff-based solicitor James Nash, former Munster Council secretary Simon Moroney (Éire Óg), former Munster Council delegate John Reidy (Miltown St Joseph’s), Gerry O’Malley (Kilmaley) and Dan O’Connor (St Joseph’s). It is understood that O’Connor, secretary of St Joseph’s up to the end of last year, did not sit on last week’s appeals.