McAteer calls on Cluxton to apologise

AN ANGRY Jason McAteer last night called on Dublin GAA star Stephen Cluxton to apologise for punching him in an incident that resulted in both players being sent off in a charity game on Sunday.

The pair clashed during a game between a John Aldridge-managed Legends side and Darndale FC in aid of Autism Ireland.

After both players battled for possession, tempers became frayed and Cluxton punched the former Ireland international.

Both men were then dismissed, and in an interview on Newstalk’s Off The Ball last night, McAteer apologised for his behaviour and called on Cluxton to do the same.

Explaining the circumstances that led to the flare-up, McAteer said Cluxton tripped him before things spiralled out of control. “Stephen Cluxton obviously wanted to make a point and he tripped me up,’’ McAteer said.

“We came face to face with each other and suddenly he let fly with a left hook. It came right out of the blue.

“It was disappointing because a lot of families had come and paid a lot of money to watch the game and I just thought people needed to know it’s not about him being a hard man.

“He should just really show some humility in the situation and maybe come out and apologise.

“To throw a punch was over the top and shouldn’t have happened. Humility should be shown and maybe an apology to Darndale for his actions.’’

McAteer added: “There’s been that many phone calls today and that many people wanting to know what was going on, I wanted to let everyone know what really went on and how disappointed I am and just to say sorry to Darndale who put a lot of effort into arranging the game.

“I just want to say for my part of it, I’m sorry for Darndale if I’ve let anyone down.’’

McAteer also claimed Cluxton had a history of ill-discipline, citing the Dublin goalkeeper’s dismissal against then defending All-Ireland champions Armagh following an incident with Steven McDonnell in an All-Ireland qualifier in 2003 as evidence. McAteer added that Cluxton’s actions probably cost Dublin an All-Ireland title.

“We know Stephen Cluxton has got a history of getting sent off, as it were. He was sent off in an incident where he let a lot of people down in Dublin and probably cost them an All-Ireland.

“He let alot of people down there and I just feel it was a stupid thing that he did.’’

McAteer went to hit out at comments from former boxing world champion Bernard Dunne on Twitter.

McAteer hit back, saying: “I believe there’s been things said on Twitter, Bernard Dunne making out he (Cluxton) is some hard man.

“People are parting with their money for charity, this is what we’re all turned out for yesterday, people didn’t turn out to see a boxing match... I just don’t see a funny side to it.’’