They Said It ....
June 2005
ÒIÕve had a lengthy chat with the manager, John McIntyre and
weÕve agreed that while I am not rejoining the panel, there might be a lifeline
if I show some good form in two upcoming club games with Birr."
Offaly legend Brian Whelahan leaves the door on his intercounty future
slightly ajar
"We will object to floodlight plans. The GAA has treated
us with contempt. We want the GAA to put more energy and resources into
trying to address cleansing, policing, crowd control and disruption. If
they reach out to us, we will reach out to them. They haven’t been
playing ball with us in any way."
Pat Gates of the Croke Park Area Residents’ Alliance confirms
that his organisation will object to any planning application to floodlight
Croke Park in attempt to get better co-operation from GAA authorities.
"Martin won’t be part of our panel for the championship, he has
cried off. Things weren’t working out for him. The injuries he received
and the operations and so on, left him with a little too much work to do."
Westmeath manager Paidi O Se breaks the news that his Leinster winning
squad will be without the services of the hugely talented Martin Flanagan
this summer
“It’s just pure speculation. We approached Ken at the start of
the year about returning but he couldn’t commit because he was working
in Cork. And while Declan could probably still do a job for us, there was
no approach made to him."
Leitrim manager Dessie Dolan scotches the rumours that Declan and
Ken Darcy could play for the Connacht county this year.
“What is very disturbing is that there are only a few
counties in challenging positions for honours. At this stage it looks as
if Kilkenny have no match in Leinster. Take Dublin a city with a huge population.
We played them at Parnell Park and they were average. We were not in great
ourselves on the day and scraped through for a win. It is very worrying
when you see main centres of population struggling to keep pace."
Limerick hurling selector Liam Lenihan worries about the state of
hurling nationally
"Not only would I not have any problem going to Croke
Park to see other games there, but I’d probably go there quicker than
Lansdowne Road. I’m familiar with the venue and I like the stadium
- I think it can accommodate big games well."
Dublin midfielder Ciaran Whelan looks forward to the possibility of
Irish soccer and rugby teams playing in Croke Park
"I did at times meet a lot of opposition and a lot of
hassle. In fact, I got some very unpalatable mail and unsavoury phone calls
with a lot of things being said that could have been upsetting. But I really
did not take any notice of that stuff because I think, if you have a point
of view, you express it and if others decide on extreme measures to express
their views, then they are flying in the face of democracy."
GAA President Sean Kelly reveals the lengths that some people went
to in attempt to alter his stance on amending Rule 42