O’Riordan and O’Grady blast ‘crazy’ hate mail

Limerick GAA chief Mike O’Riordan has revealed his disappointment at revelations that county captain Donal O’Grady received hate mail.

Midfielder O’Grady admitted he was shocked by “crazy” correspondence received from apparent supporters following last year’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Clare.

The Munster title winning skipper revealed in a new book, Fields of Fire: “I couldn’t believe it really. It had been a good season for us and I think we’re well placed for the next few years. We were probably favourites against Clare and maybe that didn’t suit us but the letters were just fully of crazy stuff.

“I wouldn’t call the people who wrote them Limerick people anyway, no matter what they called themselves. Some were signed, some were not.”

O’Grady is poised to lead Limerick once again this weekend when they face Tipperary in the opening round of the Munster championship. He admitted some of the letters questioned his suitability as team captain.

O’Grady continued: “I showed the most personal stuff to my wife, Catherine, and no-one else. I read them to her to get her opinion and as I did I threw them in the fire because Catherine would be the type to try and find out who these people were. It was disappointing but life goes on.”

Long serving Limerick secretary O’Riordan said any criticism of O’Grady was “totally unwarranted”.

O’Riordan said: “I don’t know the ins and outs of what Donal got. But I’m disappointed to see that he would get that kind of stuff. After the service he in particular has given to Limerick, it’s very disappointing to hear that.

“They will probably say themselves they didn’t perform in the semi-final but all of those players gave great service all year, it was a great year.

“For fellas like Donal to give sterling service and then be criticised in that manner, it’s totally unwarranted.”

O’Riordan revealed that county officials receive similar correspondence themselves at various times.

He said: “I have a box full of the stuff from the last five years. We do get it ourselves but we just ignore it. I imagine every county gets it, the usual stuff, basically guys venting their views in what is often a very strange manner. It wouldn’t be nice, some of the stuff that would come in.”