Offaly ire at allegations of vendetta against Fahy

OFFALY GAA officials have reacted angrily to anonymous allegations about football manager Gerry Fahy’s re-appointment, which the County Board’s management committee have described as “totally inaccurate.”

An unnamed senior footballer has alleged that some members of the Offaly County Board were keen to get rid of Fahy and had acted disgracefully because of financial motivations.

The management committee described this as “totally untrue”, pointing out that, as he was not involved in any of the meetings about Fahy’s reappointment, the player could not be fully aware of the facts.

Fahy gave a review committee of the Offaly County Board a list of conditions under which he would return as team manager: management of the U21 team as well; the right to appoint physios and other backroom staff; and four weekends away and a training week for the team. The review committee recommended his reappointment by 20 votes to 16.

The management committee endorsed that recommendation but proposed that a six-man committee work with the team management. However, when this proposal was put to the County Board last Tuesday, some clubs proposed an amendment and, after a secret ballot, Fahy was re-appointed by 27 votes to 26.

The management committee also pointed out that the manager, in consultation with the players but against the advice of the County Board, decided senior squad members should each pay 20 towards a weekend away, which was agreed unanimously by the squad. The Offaly U15 squad were asked to contribute towards purchasing gear, but that request, made by a new officer of the board, was later withdrawn.

The management committee also rejected a newspaper suggestion of cost-cutting because of the redevelopment of O’Connor Park. The committee claimed separate fundraising activities for this project will not interfere with the preparation of county teams, and that accounts will show that money was spent on the preparation of Offaly teams in 2004 than in any previous year.

Down have turned to Tyrone for assistance in regaining the top footballing position in Ulster. Paddy O’Rourke and his management team have been reappointed but it is the selection of former Tyrone player Jody Gormley as team trainer that has caught the imagination. Jody assisted Antrim in the past year and his terrific experience is welcomed by all in Down. County PRO Sean Óg McAteer confirmed yesterday that Paddy O’Rourke is already scouting for new talent.