Na Piarsaigh opt not to appeal suspensions

NA PIARSAIGH duo Conor Boylan and Tommy Grimes will not be taking their cases to the Central Appeals Committee this week in a bid to clear themselves for Saturday’s All-Ireland club hurling final against Cuala.

Boylan and Grimes were both red-carded during their semifinal win over Slaughtneil last month. Boylan was judged to have “kicked with minimal force” while Tommy Grimes was red-carded for “striking with a hurley, with minimal force”.

The pair had hearings last week that determined a proposed one-match ban in each case should remain in place.

They had the option of going to the next stage but club chairman Risteard O’Flaherty has confirmed that won’t be happening.

Grimes and Boylan featured for Limerick in last year’s All-Ireland U-21 success and were centrally involved in the Limerick side’s latest provincial success prior to their red cards, so their loss will be significant.

Na Piarsaigh and Cuala are the last two club champions in hurling so this has the feel of an undisputed title fight, to use boxing parlance.

Cuala are bidding to become the fifth team to retain their title, following Portumna, Athenry, Birr and Sarsfields (Galway).

Adverse weather that may bring snow showers to the east coast this weekend are unlikely to impact on the club finals as Croke Park has an undersoil heating system.

It was on during the most recent cold snap that left much of the city immobilised by snow and allowed the pitch surface to be cleared of snow quickly.