County boards not consulted over managers’ RTÉ boycott

NONE of the inter-county managers boycotting RTÉ in protest at the treatment of journalist Brian Carthy consulted with their county boardsbefore making the decision to snub the national broadcaster.

When contacted yesterday, all seven boards confirmed they had not spoken to their county managers about their plans.

As revealed by this newspaper, Mickey Harte (Tyrone), Conor Counihan (Cork), Brian Cody (Kilkenny), Kieran McGeeney (Kildare), Justin McNulty (Laois), Mickey Moran (Leitrim) and Kevin Walsh (Sligo) were among the signatories in a letter to RTÉ highlighting their concerns about Carthy’s position at the station.

Echoing the sentiments expressed by GAA president Christy Cooney, Cork County Board chairman JerryO’Sullivan said his personal belief was the matter was an RTÉ one and nobody else’s. “I wasn’t unaware of it until I read the Irish Examiner,” stated O’Sullivan. “We have had no discussion on the matter.

Laois chairman Brian Allen said they weren’t happy with the way McNulty refused to speak not just to RTÉ but also the print media following the footballers’ defeat by Dublin last Sunday.

However, he pointed out it wasn’t typical of the Armagh native: Personally, we would have no opinion on it,” he said about the Carthy situation.

“We are disappointed with ourmanager not speaking to the press from a county point of view.

Tyrone secretary Dominic McCaughey explained Harte is perfectly entitled to do what he wishes when dealing with the media.

“We haven’t spoken about it. What’s in the papers is all I’m aware of. It’s a personal thing and we wouldn’t dictate to him on that matter.”

Kilkenny secretary Ned Quinn insisted he “genuinely has no idea” whether Cody plans not to speak to RTE following tomorrow evening’s Leinster SH semi-final against Wexford at Wexford Park.

Leitrim, Kildare and Sligo officials all maintained the matter hadn’t been broached with Moran, McGeeney and Walsh respectively.

Meanwhile one of the managers who asked RTÉ to send Carthy to more high-profile games or they would not be available for interview has said it was not an ultimatum.

Moran said: “There’s no ultimatum, anger, or aggression, we just want to speak to someone and see if we could sort it out in an amicable way,” he said.

“We’re not telling RTÉ how to run the thing. We just want fair play and get the thing sorted out. Meet Mickey (Harte) and talk about it and get it sorted out.

RTÉ replied to Harte this week declining an opportunity to meet the Tyroneman but Moran is still hopeful of a resolution.

“Mickey hasn’t been in contact yet but I’m sure he’ll forward it on to us (RTÉ’s reply).

“I just want to emphasis that this is not a body that’s gone in two feet first demanding this and demanding that. We made an approach to RTÉ through a very well-constructed letter and we asked them to meet. We didn’t even receive a reply until it got out in the media.

“It’s not a big conspiracy. I think Brian Carthy is an absolute gentleman and has worked very hard for 25 years.

“He deserves to be treated a little bit better than what’s been happening.”

Meanwhile Tipperary senior hurling manager Declan Ryan has refused to be drawn on the subject.

“I haven’t, no; I spoke to Brian (Carthy) after a couple of the league games, but I’m not really sure what comment to be passing on that to be honest. I’ve had no contact from anyone on the subject.”