Wednesday's GAA In The Papers

Catch up on all the latest news, views and GAA-related rumours in www.gaa.ie's latest daily feature, GAA In the Papers.

The Irish Independent reports that Tipperary manager Declan Ryan spoke to his squad before training last night and reassured the players that things would proceed as normal despite the shock retirement of Lar Corbett.

The same report, written by Jackie Cahill, reveals that Corbett was injured eight days ago but did not have any contact with the Tipperary management until Monday night.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Corbett’s former manager, Ken Hogan, is hopeful that after taking time out to digest the ramifications of his decision, the three-time GAA All Star will reconsider.

“We’re all surprised by something that happened so suddenly. I’m still coming to terms with it. We’re shell-shocked,’’ Hogan said.

"Every player goes through a phase and hopefully this is one of them. They have difficult lifestyles. Lar has big commitments work-wise but when things settle down he might consider returning.”

Corbett’s former team-mate Eamonn Corcoran was another in shock yesterday, telling the Irish Times that the Thurles man was in the form of his life.

“Lar was only coming into his own in the last two or three years. He remains in the top three forwards in the country and for anybody looking in, this wasn’t the time to go and the only reason can be work commitments. There’s no other reason why Larry would walk away because injury-wise, he’s been back on track.”

The other big story of the day is the clarification that John Mullane is not in fact retiring from inter-county hurling with Waterford and is in fact taking ‘five to six weeks’ out.

County chairman Tom Cunningham stressed last night that there was nothing unusual about a senior player asking for time off at this time of the year.

"I have spoken to Michael Ryan on this. He met with John Mullane and there was agreement between them that he could step back for a few weeks," said Cunningham in the Irish Independent. "But he is still training in the gym. There is nothing unusual about this and we expect him back for the last few games of the league."

Switching to football and the Irish Examiner reports that Mayo manager James Horan has a number of injury worries ahead of Saturday’s Allianz League clash with Dublin.

Ger Cafferkey is struggling to make the game after suffering a slight hamstring tear in the opening day defeat of Laois, while midfielder Aidan O’Shea is rated as ’60-40’ as he is struggling with ankle ligament problems.

The Irish Examiner also reports that Down will have a number of players back available for their Allianz League clash with Cork on Sunday.

Centre-back Kevin McKernan has returned from his travels in Australia, while Eoin McCartan and Conor Garvey are pushing for starting places after recovering from injury quicker than had been expected.

"We were initially faced with big problems, but the return of some players is a welcome boost as is that win over Donegal," says McCartan.

"Obviously we are confronted with a difficult assignment against Cork but if we could get something out of this match it would give us that little bit more confidence for when the league resumes."