Offaly hurling manager John McIntyre has vented his fury over an incident in last Sunday's NHL defeat to Wexford which left up-and-coming full forward Joe Bergin with a serious groin injury. Bergin was forced off before half-time after being "nailed" as he scored Offaly's goal. "I was unhappy over the incident which led to Joe Bergin having to retire injured," McIntyre said. "To make a bad situation worse, no action was taken against the culprit by the referee (Tipperary's Seamus Roche). "In my view, there is too much tolerance of the late slap across players when they are striking. Granted, we scored a great goal but the unfortunate aspect is that one of our key players was badly injured which is no good for anybody - and referees are obliged to protect players." Bergin received a painkilling injection after the game and is a major doubt for next Sunday's home tie with Clare. McIntyre is also sweating on the fitness of Shane Dooley (broken finger), Cathal Horan (gastroenteritis), Conor Hernon (suspected fractured wrist), Derek Molloy (groin) and David Franks (groin). The former Tipperary player added: "Hurling is a tough, hard game at times and knocks and injuries are part of it but referees, in conjunction with their linesmen and umpires, have to be far more proactive in ensuring that players are given the protection that is necessary. "Players being nailed in the process of striking but because scores come off it, referees are inclined to ignore the stroke if a score comes of it." Tweet

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