THE GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) will meet today to decide what punishment Tiernan McCann may receive for an ugly incident involving Donegal defender Stephen McMenamin in Saturday evening’s Ulster semi-final in Clones.
With Tyrone well behind early in the second half, Killyclogher clubman McCann grabbed at McMenamin’s gumshield and appeared to stamp on his head.
Referee David Gough did not see the incident at the time, but it was captured by TV cameras and photographers at Kingspan Breffni so McCann will now face retrospective sanction.
Donegal assistant-manager Karl Lacey says the GAA needs to take steps to ensure that incidents like this does not creep into Gaelic Games.
“It’s something we don’t want to see again, we don’t want it creeping into our game,” said the four-time Allstar.
“It doesn’t matter what my view is on it, it’s in the hands and the power of the GAA now and hopefully they will deal with it in the right manner and make sure it’s taken out of our game.
“We don’t want to see that, I didn’t see it at the time but there is no call for it in any sport. It’s for the GAA to deal with it and hopefully they deal with it in the right way.”
Red Hugh’s clubman McMenamin recovered to score the final point of the match on Saturday evening as Donegal progressed to an Ulster final against Cavan with a 1-16 to 0-15 win.
“He was in good form after the result,” said Lacey.
“He’s been assessed by the medics. It would take more than that to slow him down, he’s a great fella.”
All-Ireland winner Lacey was in Dublin yesterday as part of the 2019 Panel for the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Awards which also includes Galway dual-star Alan Kerins, former Waterford Hurling manager Derek McGrath and Dublin footballer Tomás Quinn.
“It’s a great opportunity for young fellas to represent their county,” he said.
“I remember playing when I was that age and it gives you great confidence – the big day out, getting your gear for the Championship, getting on the team bus and all the supporters going up the road with you…
“It’s a great occasion for those young lads. Tactics aren’t a big thing at that level, it’s about playing football and expressing yourself so there are always great games.
“Young lads now, with the ability they have, there are some great stars out there and I’m looking forward to watching the games and seeing who comes out on top.”
Lacey’s first game for the Donegal minors ending in a hammering from Cavan.
“I was never the stand-out players, I was always very small at that age, small and light,” he recalled.
“It was always the bigger lads who were shining but I enjoyed it that much I stuck at it. I always had a dream of playing for Donegal at senior level and that stood by me.
“We got absolutely hammered by Cavan in my first game and I had a bad game myself but it didn’t hold me back, I just held on to the belief that I could play at senior level, I worked at my game and it happened from there.”
