Furious Dooley’s letter of intent
The letter was triggered by a series of incidents when the team turned up for training at O’Connor Park, the impressively renovated county ground in Tullamore, on Saturday last, but, claims Dooley, that was just the final straw.
“We wish to very strongly register our annoyance at the treatment received today in O’Connor Park when we arrived for a training session,” it begins, “As a result of the way we were received, from gates being locked all over the place, to players and mentors being asked to leave the field, to not being allowed even walk across the field, to the threat of cars being removed from outside the ground, we had no other choice but to call off training.
“This is not a satisfactory situation given we have our most important game in two weeks’ time.”
According to the team manager, this is an ongoing problem. “This type of treatment has been an ongoing issue all year,” he continued, “and today it came to a head when all involved agreed we have had enough.
“This is the last thing anyone wanted or needed but it was collectively felt that we were left with no other choice. It is very clear to all involved that throughout this year and last that we are not wanted in O’Connor Park. Every reason seems to be used to keep us out of the pitch or off the pitch during training sessions.”
He went on to outline the sacrifices being made by the players in order to play for Offaly: “Today players travelled from Dublin and other locations and everyone has been doing this with the interests of Offaly hurling to the fore since last December. We have trained in sub-zero temperatures and a number of players have undergone surgery and have been out of work and so on as a result of injuries sustained playing for Offaly and to arrive today and be treated in this way is just not good enough. Having a great facility like O’Connor Park is no advantage if our teams are not afforded the use of these facilities to prepare for big championship games in a spirit of support and cooperation.”
Finally he made the three points: “1) That no further requests will be made by Offaly senior hurlers for the use of O’Connor Park; 2) That serious consideration be given by the county board and the clubs of Offaly to the staging of some league games in Birr; 3) Request the support of clubs to make their facilities available for Offaly senior hurlers for training sessions.”
The letter was then signed by Joe Dooley, Brian Carroll, Brendan Kelly (selector), Tony Murphy (team secretary), Francis Forde (coach), Shane Dooley (captain), Joe Bergin (vice-captain) and Pat McLoughney (selector).
The past decade has seen the hurling season rocked on an annual basis by crisis after crisis in different counties — three times in Cork, several times in Limerick, Clare (twice), Waterford. This year it’s been all rosey in the garden — until now.
At a time when the GAA is already facing several contentious issues, including attendance levels/pricing, continued officiating controversy, the last thing it needs is yet another hurling crisis, but that’s what it’s got, and on the face of it at least, it would appear that Joe Dooley has just cause for complaint.
Last night Martin stated that he was on holiday, knew nothing about the letter; county chairman Pat Teehan said he had no comment to make, that the matter would be dealt with internally, through the normal channels.
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