Inside Track with John McIntyre

From the outside looking in, a cloud hangs over Loughrea’s preparations for Sunday’s All-Ireland Club hurling final against Ballygunner at Croke Park. No matter how much the club tries to shield players and management, it’s impossible to block the speculation over Cullen Killeen’s awful predicament.

Harshly dismissed in the dying embers of the Galway champions’ big semi-final win over Slaughtneil at Parnell Park, the odds remain against the teenage midfielder lining out against Ballygunner, especially as his initial appeal against a one-match ban was dismissed by the Central Hearings Committee last Thursday.

Killeen was reported by Limerick referee Johnny Murphy for striking with minimal force in an incident involving Derry footballer Brendan Rogers, but the indications this week are that Loughrea are prepared to take their case all the way to the DRA (Disputes Resolution Authority) if they have to.

No one can blame the club for going the whole hog – and maybe there’s a rabbit to be pulled out of the hat – but trying to get Killeen off the hook must be a distraction. We all have huge sympathy for him, and it must be particularly difficult for his family, including brothers Tiernan and Caimin who are key figures on the team, but something this serious happening in the background ahead of a big match burns up energy.

Of course, Loughrea also has the opportunity of turning their sense of grievance into a circling of the wagons. Their perception of a miscarriage of justice can act as a powerful motivational tool, but maintaining focus is challenging in the circumstances. One presumes it will be a straight swap – either Seán Sweeny or Alan Kelly – if Killeen doesn’t get a late reprieve.

There is also the option of switching Jamie Ryan out to midfield, a move now made more possible by Darren Shaughnessy’s recovery from a hamstring injury which forced him out of the All-Ireland semi-final. Either way, Loughrea do have options even if the priority remains to have Killeen back on board. You’d imagine Neil Keary will be held in reserve after his scoring exploits when introduced against the Derry men.

Loughrea haven’t looked back since their Tiernan Killeen-inspired comeback against Clarinbridge in the county quarter-final. Tommy Kelly’s charges caught fire at just the right time in retaining the Galway title, but they have unfinished business to attend to in the All-Ireland series after their tough loss to Na Fianna in Thurles over 12 months ago.

Pictured: Galway defender Gavin Lee breaking upfield against Cathal King of Offaly during Sunday’s Walsh Cup semi-final at Duggan Park. Photo: David Cunniffe.