Russell hits out at Liston comments

October 01, 2008
Paddy Russell, the referee who sent of Paul Galvin causing the Kerry captain to receive a three-month suspension, has criticised the comments of Kerry legend Eoin Liston over the infamous incident. The Tipperary whistle-blower, who has since retired from officiating at inter-county level, has criticised the former Kerry full-forward's public comments regarding Galvin sending-off against Clare in the Munster SFC back in June. Writing in his new book, 'Final Whistle', Russell also expressed disappointment in ex-Kerry boss Jack O'Connor's view over the matter. "Predictably, the worm began to turn as Kerry rolled out the big guns to influence public opinion," wrote Russell. "Eoin 'Bomber' Liston was in The Star arguing that officials were partly to blame for the Galvin incident, and the former Kerry manager, Jack O'Connor, said the player was being 'demonised.' "I smiled to myself when I read Liston's comments. One of the match officials from the junior game in Killarney, the curtain-raiser, told me that when he was leaving Fitzgerald Stadium, he saw Liston walking into the ground a quarter of an hour after the big game had started. "I don't know if it was definitely him, but if it was, even though he would have seen the Galvin incident, it's my view he shouldn't have commented publicly if he hadn't watched the entire match. "Those comments from Liston disappointed me. I always had the greatest of admiration for him as a player. But I lost a lot of respect for him when he came out in the newspapers blaming officials for Galvin's actions. "The linesman was wrong, the referee was wrong, everyone was wrong bar Galvin, it seemed. "Liston may not have seen the game but he is a big hitter in Kerry circles. So if Liston or O'Connor say something in the press, to may supporters it's the gospel truth," Russell stated.

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