Reidy demands letter of apology from Croker

FORMER Limerick senior football captain Micheal Reidy is demanding a letter of apology from national GAA chiefs. Reidy returns to Dublin on Thursday to face Croke Park’s Appeals Committee in an effort to clear his name after incurring a controversial suspension.

The Dromcollogher-Broadford man was reported by Longford referee Derek Fahy for physical interference with a linesman during Limerick’s NFL defeat by Sligo earlier this month. Within 48 hours the Central Competitions Control Committee had pinpointed Reidy for a category four offence and a potential six-month ban — ruling him out of club and county action until September.

However, it was all a case of mistaken identity, according to the Limerick player.

“In this day and age you can’t go around accusing people without checking facts,” explains Reidy.

Two weeks ago, the corner forward made his original appearance before the Appeals Committee. “They expected me to go up and say ‘sorry’, but I said that the referee’s report should be thrown out, because I was able to prove that the referee’s report was false.”

The Limerick player is disappointed that he was named publicly in the media as receiving a six-month ban before the GAA had checked their facts.

“No one likes to read something like that about themselves,” he sighed. “For them to not even ask me my side of the story is crazy — I am very disappointed with them.

“I asked if they had seen the video and they said no,” he explained.

“Only for I have video evidence I would be six months gone from the game.

“The referee isn’t called into question, even though he was wrong — what he says is gospel. Nothing seems to happen referees, even when they are wrong.”

Reidy slammed: “It was defamation of character. I am 11 years playing with Limerick and now my name is tarnished and that can’t be taken back. I want a letter of apology from them and, if not, I will take it further.

“I work all over Munster as a sales rep and I deal with the public and to have people reading that I clocked a linesman is not on.

“This wouldn’t stand up in a court of law and it is ridiculous that this can happen — they don’t seem to want to take responsibility and they blamed everyone but themselves.”