Munster GAA chief blasts radio show comments

THE chairman of the Munster Council has launched a strongly worded attack on RTÉ radio show Liveline, and its presenter Derek Davis, for their coverage of the brawl between Laois and Cork in the All-Ireland MFC.

Sean Fogarty described comments made by Mr Davis as “disgraceful” and said the tone of the programme discussing the incidents in Limerick last month was “most unfair”.

“When we consider the immense amount of top class entertainment the GAA provides for radio and television, and in the process provides welcome entertainment for our sick and elderly friends, the negative comments on the radio programme Liveline were most unfair,” Mr Fogarty said.

“The fact that the presenter of the programme went out of his way to facilitate and encourage the negativity was disgraceful.”

Mr Davis was discussing a 62-second pitch brawl which erupted after the All-Ireland MFC quarter-finals, with players and mentors involved.

Following a GAC inquiry, the O’Moore County had five players suspended and were fined €5,000. Cork were fined the same sum and had three players and a mentor suspended.

The Munster Council boss stressed that the unsavoury incidents in recent weeks were isolated events.

“Over the last couple of weeks the GAA has been subjected to some over-the-top criticism arising from some breaches of discipline during and after games.

“Whilst we can never condone any breach of the disciplinary code, we must not forget that practically all our games are played to the highest standards of sportsmanship.

“Our ambition is 100% compliance with the rules of discipline.”

Meanwhile, every County Board is to receive 100 free footballs from sports company Gaelic Gear.

The announcement was made by GAA President Sean Kelly, when he attended a reception for County Chairmen in Croke Park before the All-Ireland semi-final between Fermanagh and Mayo.

“I welcome competition and choice in all aspects of the GAA. Gaelic Gear is a 100% Irish company, which has invested heavily in this product, and, in applying for the license, it passed every test with flying colours. The license extends to every level of competition up to and including the All-Ireland final,” said Mr Kelly.

Gaelic Gear managing director Paul Campbell said the company had used the latest technical developments to produce a tough and durable ball, designed for high performance and guaranteed to conform to regulations for size, shape and weight.

He said Gaelic Gear also had the technology to customise footballs by printing full colour logos, county crests or sponsor identification, and is at an advanced stage of production of a 32-panel football for the 32 counties.