Loughnane taken to task over comments

THE fundraising committee which organised a trip for the Clare hurlers on the 10th anniversary of their 1995 All-Ireland victory has taken former manager Ger Loughnane to task over critical comments he made in a newspaper column.

Loughnane referred to what he described as “the scandalous abuse” of the team’s reputation, saying a “free holiday was given to a few chosen players and a few others,” without either the panel or himself being called to a meeting to plan the trip.

The committee (independent of the County Board) is the same one Loughnane himself set up following the 1995 success, consisting of former star John Callinan (chairman), Clare Champion journalist Seamus Hayes (secretary) and publican Jerry Kelly (treasurer).

Loughnane also said in his column: “informing those heroic players that the trip was cancelled and then organising a trip for the chosen few was an unforgivable slight on these great men and their partners.”

The committee said yesterday that Loughnane attended the meeting at which it was decided to organise a trip. It took place following the Christmas golf outing for the Clare hurlers in December 2004 at the Heritage in Killenard, in which he took part.

There was an agreement reached that the holiday would take place towards the end of last year. And it was at Loughnane’s behest that it would be to a destination within a few hours flying time of Shannon.

Initially, every member of the 1995 and 1997 panels, along with the management (Loughnane, Tony Considine and Mike McNamara), team physio Colum Flynn and team sponsor Pat O’Donnell was written to with details of the trip. They were also advised of the closing date, by which time deposits had to be paid.

The Committee explained that because of a poor response a second letter was circulated and this threatened a cancellation of the holiday.

“This sparked off a big response and it was decided to proceed. Ger Loughnane was one of a small number who did not reply to either letter,” the committee said.

“There was no free holiday for anybody. The holiday was subsidised thanks to the support of Pat O’Donnell, sponsor of the team at the time of their All-Ireland wins. Due to a business commitment, he was unable to travel on the holiday.”

*Meanwhile, Anthony Daly has closed the book on the controversy which arose early in the week from reports surrounding the resignation of Colum Flynn and Gerard Hartmann from the Clare backroom staff.

Daly has refused to comment publicly since issuing a statement on a matter that saw County Board Chairman Michael McDonagh make a statement to the Gardaí about a phone call he overheard.

Loughnane since said he made a call to the chairman on his home phone and then called a friend on his mobile. According to reports yesterday, he made references to Fr Harry Bohan which insinuated a dislike of him.