Cork chairman discusses injury claim with Duggan

Cork County Board chairman Bob Ryan has met with former Cork footballer Diarmuid Duggan to discuss his claim he was not financially reimbursed properly by the board for an operation on his hip, after injury ended his playing career.

The Ilen Rovers clubman last played for Cork in the 2008 All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kerry, and dropped off the Rebel panel in 2009 due to ongoing problems with his hip.

After struggling to even play for his club again, the 31-year-old, who is now involved as a selector with the Ilen U21s, was forced to retire from playing at any level.

Duggan revealed earlier in the week to the Irish Examiner that while the board funded an initial operation in a bid to cure his injury, he was left out of pocket to the tune of €7,000 after having a second operation on his hip in England.

It cost €10,000, though the Gaelic Players Association did subsequently contribute €3,000 from their benevolent fund to offset his outlay.

In late 2010 Duggan wrote a letter to board secretary Frank Murphy pleading his case, without getting a response.

Cork chairman Bob Ryan issued a statement today to the Evening Echo in Cork regarding the situation, stating the player and he had a very cordial and constructive meeting in the wake of the story breaking.

“I have met with Diarmuid Duggan and had a very cordial and constructive meeting with him.

“I have agreed to further investigate the situation around his injury and his injury claim.

“There will be no further comment from the Cork County Board until this situation is finalised."