Cork chairman calls for entire brawl to be screened

CORK County Board chairman Jim Forbes wants RTÉ to show the brawl that followed the minor game which occurred at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday in its entirety.

“I was appalled at the RTÉ footage on the news and during the Sunday Game, and the comments of analyst Paul McStay, who completely blamed Cork,” said Forbes.

“That was an outrageous statement as he only saw part of the TV footage shown by TG4. An entire showing would have portrayed a completely different picture.

“We have not received a copy of the referee’s report so I’m not in a position to make any comment, but I’m not prepared to ignore what has been said and seen on national television.

I would now call on RTÉ to release the full footage and that would give a far clearer picture of what did happen.

“Maybe they are not in a position to do so. If that is the case it is very wrong to show just one incident in isolation: you cannot make a clear judgment on what was shown.

“Paul McStay laid the blame fairly and squarely on Cork, but he was only going on the TV footage he had seen. He might have a different view had he seen the entire incident.”

Laois wasted no time in conveying their views to the GAC in Croke Park in a letter written on Sunday in which they apologised for the part they played. In the letter, Laois secretary Niall Handy denied media reports they identified a Cork official for striking one of their team officials.

“The whole thing started when a Cork player struck one of our midfielders, but we did not name a Cork individual in that letter. I’ve nothing more to say on the matter,” said Handy.