Players unite in support of duo

THERE has been widespread player support for Cork hurlers Niall McCarthy and Kieran Murphy following their controversial Corona endorsement on Sunday.

Intercounty footballers, hurlers and camogie stars last night gave their full backing to their actions and have slammed any suggestions that they be banned for the incident.

Paul Codd, the former Wexford hurler who was involved in the Paddy Power controversy two years ago, gave the Cork duo his backing.

“I think it’s their own business, they should be allowed do whatever they can to make a few bob.

“What harm are they doing to the GAA? People are complaining that they’re advertising alcohol, but aren’t the GAA doing the same thing themselves, with the Guinness sponsorship, and it doesn’t seem to bother them.”

And should the players be sanctioned? “No way, if they are, the rest of the players should pull out. Haven’t they lost enough money, in training, over the last few years? They could be working overtime any evening of the week, going on holidays, enjoying the summer, instead of slogging it out three or four evenings a week. Let them make a few bob.”

His sentiments were shared by Offaly dual star Neville Coughlan: “I think players should be allowed have personal advertising. The jerseys are already being sponsored, being worn by the players, and they’re getting nothing from that. I think there’s room for more. It’s a bit like the Energiser thing, I thought that was completely stupid, by RTÉ. You get a few pound for it, that’s all, and it’s one of the few opportunities the ordinary player has of getting a few bob. The big players will always do well, but what about the rest of us? Fair play, if you can get a few euro on the side.”

Like Codd he thinks that the GAA should not sanction the players.

“It’s only a pair of football boots, after all. I know some players who have their boots sponsored, unfortunately I’m not one of them. As for the drink side of things, aren’t Guinness the main sponsor? I’m not a heavy drinker, but I don’t know why they’re whinging there. It’s just a matter of scale, isn’t it? They’re just being picky.

Limerick and Munster camogie star Vera Sheehan also backs the Cork men. “Fair play to the boys, they’re getting nothing from the GAA. The only problem, they’re treading on the toes of Guinness, otherwise, fair play to them, a nice little package for the weekend. Maybe they’ll get a free keg or two thrown in, how bad?

She agrees that any ban would be farcical. “They were probably totally innocent in this affair, didn’t realise what was going to happen. It’s like the incident last year, with Sean Óg and the Wexford lads.

Laois footballer Ross Munnelly offered an interesting perspective: “If you’re wearing a pair of boots with adidas or puma on them, isn’t that the same thing? Where do you draw the line? The drink issue is a problem alright, when you’re advertising certain products, you have to be careful of your audience, and advertising drinks when children could be influenced is wrong. But I don’t think this is the fault of the players involved, they’re not the experts. Those behind that should be held responsible. The players, however, are giving up nearly all their free time, the GAA doesn’t pay the bills, which is why certain players walk away, make their family their priority. Some players are lucky enough to have individual sponsorship, why can’t the others, if they can generate income from other sponsors?”

And he too believes the matter does not warrant any action by Croke Park authorities.

“Certainly not, those guys would have had a lot on their minds coming up to the match, were given an opportunity to gain some reward and were singled out for their status.

Niall McCarthy and Kieran Murphy played in front of a huge audience last Sunday, in Croke Park and on TV, went home with nothing but bumps and bruises. They should not be faulted for trying to make a few bob, but they would not have known the full extent of what was going to happen.”