Cork hurlers step up RTÉ row

CORK hurlers last night refused to answer questions posed by RTÉ as the row between the broadcaster and the Gaelic Players Association over product placement escalated.

When the station’s southern editor, Paschal Sheehy, attempted to interview Sean Óg Ó hAilpín at a Munster SHC Final press briefing, the Cork skipper replied he and the panel would not co-operate with RTÉ due to the dispute over GPA members drinking Club Energise in post-match interviews.

Ó hAilpín said that the “players and members” of the Cork senior hurling team had taken a conscious decision “not to co-operate with RTÉ for the time being, until the issues with the GPA had been properly addressed.”

Team manager John Allen revealed that the management had decided to support the stance taken by the players. They were doing so, he explained, because there was “a certain ambiguity” about RTÉ’s treatment of hurlers and footballers with regard to “a certain drinks company.”

Allen added: “The players are strong enough to say this needs to be resolved. I and the management have fully backed the players - because there is this grey area.

“The same brush needs to sweep across the spectrum of sport and the GAA and RTÉ need to resolve the issue.”

RTÉ banned product placement after it was revealed that players were receiving €500 for drinking from a bottle of Club Energise during post-match interviews.

The GPA and RTÉ are due to meet next week in an effort to resolve the issue.