Journalist says Kildare boss Glenn Ryan’s claim was 'very, very hurtful'

The Lilywhites boss told reporters that remarks by county chairman Mick Gorman 'had not been properly reported'.

Kildare manager Glenn Ryan at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow last weekend. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

The journalist who contested Kildare manager Glenn Ryan’s claim that county chairman Mick Gorman’s remarks “had not been properly reported” said he couldn’t let his integrity go unchallenged.

“Leinster Leader” sports editor Tommy Callaghan wrote in his weekly column that the remark by Ryan was “very, very hurtful” and he had to defend himself during the group interview following Kildare’s 14-point Allianz Division 2 defeat to Armagh in Carlow, their third consecutive defeat.

Callaghan commented: “It was a very disappointed Kildare manager who spoke to the print media following Sunday's display against the Kieran McGeeney managed Armagh side.

“Asked if he felt what was reported from the previous week's Kildare County Board meeting when chairman Mick Gorman was highly critical of the results to that point, the manager replied ‘no’ adding that his (Gorman) comments ‘had not been properly reported.’ 

“As this reporter was the one who was at the county board meeting and the one that reported on it, a verbal spat between yours truly and the manager ensued which, to say the least was somewhat unpleasant and unnecessary. However when one's integrity is brought into question it cannot, and should not be allowed to go unchallenged. And it wasn't.” 

Callaghan went back over his account of the February 5 county board meeting when Gorman made the original remarks about the poor results and performances of the Kildare senior football team. “At that particular meeting of the County Board, it may have been unusual for the chairman to, not only allow some discussion on the performances of the county side, but it was he who actually instigated the discussion.

“Mr Gorman informed delegates at that February meeting that not only was he disappointed with the start that had seen Kildare (up to that point) lose their two opening games but that the ‘displays were not acceptable and results must improve.’ Comments he repeated more than once.

“Mr Gorman informed delegates that he had had a long conversation with the manager that very day and said he left his feelings and disappointments known to the manager while acknowledging the disappointment also felt by the team management and the players. Simple. Straight forward. And duly reported fairly and accurately by this reporter. We'll leave it at that.

“But for the record just to say that the report of the meeting was ‘not properly reported’ on is absolutely totally inaccurate, totally untrue and to be honest very, very hurtful. We’ll move on.”