Glenn Ryan involved in tense exchange with journalist following latest Kildare defeat

Ryan became embroiled in a tense exchange with a local journalist after the Kildare boss claimed county chairman Mick Gorman’s comments at a recent county board meeting were 'not reported on properly'

'NOT REPORTED ON PROPERLY': Kildare manager Glenn Ryan during the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Kildare and Armagh at Netwatch Cullen Park. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach, Sportsfile.

Glenn Ryan became embroiled in a tense exchange with a local journalist following Kildare’s latest Division 2 defeat, their third in as many games.

Ryan had claimed county chairman Mick Gorman’s comments at a recent county board meeting were “not reported on properly”.

Gorman had been quoted as saying the Lilywhites’ start to the campaign was “not good enough”. 

He remarked at the event Monday week: “I spoke to the management for a long time today about the situation and the necessity that performances and results have to greatly improve. 

"We are fully aware that results are not good enough, not good enough for the county and the players and the management are all fully aware of the situation.” 

Asked by the Irish Examiner in Netwatch Cullen Park if Gorman’s comments were helpful, Ryan responded: “I don’t think the comments at the meeting had anything to do with anything out on the pitch. I don’t think they were properly reported either but look it all these things come to the fore when things aren’t going your way.

“Look it, I have a great relationship with Mick Gorman and with the county board and we’ll all keep working to do what we can to get the best out of these lads. Obviously, not at the moment but we’ll keep our heads down and keep working at it."

The Leinster Leader representative, who wrote the article, then challenged Ryan to demonstrate where the report was wrong. Their conversation went as follows:

LL: "What part of comments were not properly reported?"

Ryan: “Oh well, I was only told that because I wouldn’t bother reading them. But I was told, by people who were at the meeting, that the report didn’t reflect the nature of the meeting really.” 

LL: “Do you want to listen to the tape?” 

Ryan: “No, I have no interest in listening to the tape.” 

LL: “I was the one who reported it. And if you want to hear the tape I can send it to you.” 

Ryan: “I don’t want to listen to it.” 

LL: “You can’t say that it wasn’t properly reported.” 

Ryan: “I can give an opinion from what somebody else told me that was at it.” 

LL: “So it’s not your opinion, it’s somebody else’s opinion.” 

Ryan: “It’s my opinion based on somebody who was at the meeting. I know you a long time, you can stand here in front of all of these and profess what you want to profess – it’s probably not the time …” 

LL: “I agree with you.” 

Ryan: “It’s probably not the time for you, who I would know for a long time, to be trying to put that out here in front of these. If you have an issue with me saying that, sure you have my number, you ring it loads of times, there’s no problem.” 

LL: “I haven’t got an issue. You have the issue.” 

Ryan: “I’m only answering the question.” 

LL: “You’re answering a question on hearsay.” 

Ryan: “I’m only answering a question.” 

LL: “If you say it wasn’t properly reported, and I reported it, that’s coming back to me.” 

Ryan: “I was told it wasn’t properly reported.” 

LL: “I can send you the tape.” 

Ryan: “I know you a long time and it’s a pity, when we’re at our lowest, you don’t get the support of people that you know a long time. And that’s disappointing.” 

A Kildare Nationalist journalist, who also at the meeting, then corroborated the Leinster Leader's account of what Gorman said. 

Ryan responded: “I can only report on the conversation that I had with Mick Gorman. But look it … it’s something to be able to talk about other than the match. But the reality is we’re disappointed.

“And we’re hoping to maybe work hard to improve again. All these other things, I suppose, are clickbait for people. I keep supporting everybody who has a job to do, as best I can.” 

Kildare face Meath in Navan next Sunday and after overseeing their latest loss their former manager Kieran McGeeney defended Ryan and his management team.

"I’ve been on the receiving end of it and I’ve seen all the stories. There's always fellas with great ideas that aren't on the line. 

"To me, there’s never a big queue for that particular job and I wouldn’t know any bigger Kildare men than Johnny (Doyle), Roli (Ronan Sweeney), Glenn, Anthony (Rainbow), they are good men and sometimes when you just haven’t the support it’s hard and things can run against you.

“I definitely wouldn’t be knocking them, they are good men and I know they are taking out whatever is there. It’s a tough run for anybody, another day they could easily beat you, there is plenty of talent there, Division 2 is a tough division, it always has been. 

"It’s just tough, some days it goes for you, some days it doesn’t.”