Talty blasts capital switch call

FORMER Galway midfielder Brian Talty has blasted Dublin secretary John Costello’s proposal that is seeking to force players who switch to clubs in the capital to also change their inter-county allegiances.

Costello has suggested the idea as a method to halt the increasing number of inter-county players who are joining clubs in Dublin, a trend that has generated fierce controversy. But his plans have not found favour with Talty, who has a long association with the Dublin club Parnells.

“It’s a stupid proposal. There is an unwritten rule where country players aren’t allowed to play for the Dublin footballers. The hurlers will take country lads but not the footballers.

“So, do they want lads to transfer to a county and declare for them, even though they won’t play them? I think it’s top-of-the-head stuff from John. I don’t think he thought this through.

“I was very proud to play forParnells and to play for Galway. I am still with the same club in Dublin 30 years later. I can say the same thing about a lot of lads who came up at the same time.

“People move to Dublin looking for work. If you try to make them play for Dublin, they might stay away or else give up footballaltogether.”