O'Neill rejects Grimley claim
July 30, 2014
GAA President Liam O'Neill
Brendan Donaghy, Kieran Toner and Andy Mallon all received one-match bans following the investigation into the pre-match brawl that marred the Orchard County's Ulster SFC quarter-final against Cavan.
Two Cavan players - Martin Dunne and Feargal Flanagan - were also hit with suspensions while both County Boards were fined €5,000.
The Breffni County took their medicine but Armagh contested the CCCC's decision, losing their hearing and appeal, and Grimley subsequently imposed a media ban on his players.
"The media did, in my opinion, influence Liam O'Neill and Páraic Duffy and the CCC and put pressure on them and they reacted as they normally do," Grimley stated in an interview with the Newry Democrat.
Speaking to the Irish Times at the launch of the M Donnelly hurling Poc Fada launch yesterday, O'Neill responded: "Páraic and I have no hand, act or part in discipline, the appointment of referees or match officiating of any sort.
"I don't mind putting on record that I have never spoken to the CCC on any discipline matter since I became president . . . nor have I have commented to anybody in officialdom on the performance of referees.
"I just made the decision when I became president that we appoint people to do those jobs, I do my job and they do theirs. It would be wrong of either Páraic or I to do that and it just doesn't arise . . .
"He [Grimley] made an accusation, I'm not sure why he did . . . I certainly had no influence whatsoever. I wasn't happy with what he said."
Media bans do nothing for the image of the GAA, according to the President.
"All I can say on that is I think we all need to communicate. That's the reason I do it with you this morning.
"It's a two way street; if we want to get our games publicised we need to treat the media fairly. I have tried to do that since I've become president . . . The players benefit and it is a pity if that breaks down." Tweet
