Cooney not keen to get involved in Fennell transfer battle

GAA president Christy Cooney last night stated that he is not going to get involved in the transfer battle involving Dublin senior footballer Eamon Fennell.

Fennell's transfer request from O'Toole's to St Vincent's was denied on Monday night and Cooney says that he is not keen to get involved in the internal affairs of different counties.

“It is a matter for the Dublin County Board. I don't know why the transfer wasn't allowed,” he said at the announcement of Setanta Homes as the new DIT Hurling Club sponsor.

“I don't get involved in the internal situations of a county unless they come before us at national level so I would be very slow to comment on a situation when I'm not familiar with it. That's genuine.

“I only just heard and read that the transfer wasn't allowed on the casting vote of a chairman. That wouldn't be abnormal as to why the chairman took that decision because normally if there is a casting vote you would go with the status quo - that's where things are.”

Cooney who is a strong advocate of the club within the GAA's structure, says that he wants to see every player taking to the field for their club.

“I want to see every player playing and that involves Fennell as well, but I am not aware of the intricacies of the situation there so I really don't want to comment on it when I am not familiar with it.

“Naturally it would be better that it would be sorted one way or another and the player is now playing football which everyone wants to do.”

“I understand that he is a useful player and you don't want to see anybody on the sideline unnecessarily.

“I'm not familiar as I say with the difficulties around the transfer so hopefully that would be resolved and the player would get back to play with either the club he is currently with or wherever he wishes to go in the future.

“This isn't good for anybody at the end of the day, but it's Dublin's business and it is Dublin's job to manage it.”