John Kiely 'wholeheartedly retracts' and apologises to Galway over post-match comments

The Limerick manager has retracted his comments about Galway being guilty of simulation

Tue, 18 May, 2021 - 15:33

Michael Moynihan

Limerick manager John Kiely has retracted his comments about Galway being guilty of simulation in last weekend’s Allianz Hurling League clash between the teams, apologising to the Galway team and management for his remarks.

“I should have paid more attention to my own performance and that of the team than to the opposition,” Kiely told the Irish Examiner.

“At the time I was of the opinion that I had seen an incident that I wasn’t happy with: It was late in the game and very much to the forefront of my thoughts after the game.

“But over the last two days, I’ve been going through the video footage of the game and have had a very clear sight of those incidents I referred to. The bottom line is that what I thought I had seen was absolutely not the case.

“I wish to wholeheartedly retract those comments with regard to Galway and to apologise for them. It’s important that I set the record straight now that I’m certain that what I saw was not what I believed I had seen.

“We’ve had a fantastic relationship with the Galway players and management over the last number of years. We’ve had some fantastic battles, and I’ve known their current management team, Shane O’Neill and John Fitzgerald, for a long time and have tremendous respect for them. I want to apologise to them for any insinuation that might have been inferred from my comments last Sunday.

Limerick manager John Kiely with Galway manager Shane O'Neill after Sunday's game at Pearse Stadium.

“In the past the Galway team and management showed tremendous grace and dignity when we’ve met them. They showed that in 2018 and again last year, and that was the least I owed them after they beat us on Sunday.

“They were far better than us on the day last Sunday in every facet of the game and fully deserved their victory, and I should have dwelt on that aspect of the game afterwards, instead of focusing on what I felt was simulation. In doing so I fell far short of the standards I set myself.

“It’s important when we make a mistake that we have the wherewithal to put our hands up and say, ‘listen, I got that one wrong’ and learn from it and move on.

Hopefully over the last four years, I haven’t made that many mistakes, but those comments on Sunday were certainly not accurate or fair and I am very happy to correct the record and apologise.”

The Galbally man also said last Sunday that nobody would be watching hurling in 12 months unless something was done about new interpretations of the rules, and he remains concerned about this aspect of the game.

“Players and managements are struggling with the situation at the moment, but I believe we can come to a resolution on this with better communication and better interaction with officials in Croke Park.

“I think we can work on this and come up with solutions that will work for the year ahead, but it’s a work in progress.”