Fitzgerald fuming over protracted expense wait

Kildare hurler Martin Fitzgerald has slammed county officials over their failure to pay expenses.

Fitzgerald, who has played senior hurling for the past four years, claims players are chasing monies owed to them since their Christy Ring Cup exit in May.

“I’m not saying that we should be on an equal footing to the footballers, as they compete at a higher level, but it’s just about getting what you are entitled to — expenses. It’s the middle of September and we finished on May 18 and we haven’t been paid the money we are owed — it’s ridiculous,” he blasted ahead of the counties Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland U21AHC final against Roscommon this evening at Semple Stadium.

Eight students, including Fitzgerald are on the senior panel, but he says expenses are also equally vital for those who give their time freely and also have families to raise.

“On the senior team, there were eight lads in college travelling from all over the country to make training.

“We don’t do it for the money, but the lads are out of pocket for five months. Some of the lads have new babies and they need the money to help support them. I can guarantee that the footballers have their expenses.

“It’s ridiculous they haven’t been paid. It’s owed to them and it’s in the GAA handbook. I don’t think the GPA know and if they did, I’m sure they would do something about it.”

The 21-year-old says victory this evening would help show how serious the small-ball code is taken among those involved in Kildare.

“If we win in Semple Stadium it would be something to put up to the footballers in Kildare,” he said.

“We’ve seen in the papers during the week about the debt that Kildare GAA is in and that’s mainly due to the footballers. On some GAA website forums it was claimed that €100,000 was spent on the hurlers which is absolute bullshit because not one of the senior hurlers has received expenses this year.

“It would be great to hold up an All-Ireland medal in the face of everything we receive from the county board.”

Today’s U21 final is being shown live on TG4, but it’s not the norm for hurlers in the lower tiers to get live TV coverage.

It’s the first live TV game for a Kildare hurling side since 2007. Fitzgerald is frustrated by the lack of media coverage overall given to the ‘developing counties’.

“We don’t go out to seek recognition, but the lack of exposure we get sometimes is disappointing,” he said. “We won a league final this year and they didn’t even show the scoreline that Sunday night. In fairness TG4 are showing the final this weekend and are great for showing the ‘lesser light’.”