It Occurs To Me: One ‘fair’ county in Ireland?
Frank Galligan gives his views in his weekly Donegal Democrat column on The Late Late Show GAA Special and the performance of GAA president Jarlath Burns in particular
An acquaintance, who has held high posts in the GAA, and whose tendency is to back the organisation, no matter what, said of last Friday’s Late Late Show: “I think Jarlath Burns set the agenda for the Late Late.”
I pointed out to him that Burns had stated (of the Rory Gallgher controversy) that: “This is a really tragic situation for a family. It shouldn’t be getting discussed on The Late, Late Show. It's just sad that it is on such a wonderful (tribute) evening for the Gaelic Athletic Association.”
Maybe he doesn’t want it discussed at all! I found it strange that when asked about his reaction to the Kyle Hayes conviction, he responded by not really answering the question: “As I said, we are not involved in cancel culture. There is always a way back for everyone in the GAA. Kyle Hayes is under the stewardship of the Limerick management, which are outstanding people. Our players are role models, we expect a lot of them. But that is not what they sign up to. Our players are a reflection of the community and society from which they come.”
Let me share two observations. One, surely, by emailing Naas GAA and ensuring Rory did not get the coaching job, this was a blatant form of cancel culture. Two, as regards players being “a reflection of their community” (an unfortunate analogy), I’m sure decent Limerick supporters might take umbrage at the notion that Kyle Hayes reflects their values.
Also, here’s an interesting list of people - players, treasurer and sponsor - from Crossmaglen Rangers who surely are not a “reflection” of Burns’s beloved county: Aaron Brady, former junior player with Rangers, whose father Tony is an ex-chairman, sentenced to 40 years for the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe.
Daniel O’Callaghan, who won three All-Ireland club medals playing for Rangers, was convicted at the Special Criminal Court after a trial for 16 offences relating to a series of ATM thefts in Meath, Cavan and Monaghan carried out by the gang in 2018 and 2019. He got 10 years.
Cathal Short, also a three times All-Ireland winner with the club, admitted converting almost £1.2m in criminal property on behalf of his company and was ordered to pay £100,000 compensation. Before the start of the trial Short pleaded guilty to the company converting criminal property.
Eugene Hanratty, whose oil company sponsored the club, was described in court as a “pillar” of the community during his trial where it emerged that 41 letters of recommendation from the local community in south Armagh had been handed into the court from the GAA and the church. That didn’t deter the judge from sentencing him to three years for a vicious and premeditated attack on Monaghan man Martin McAllister in 2012.
Thomas McKenna, a former club treasurer, was jailed for 16 years after pleading guilty to an “unprecedented” campaign of sex abuse spanning three decades. He admitted to 162 offences against 23 male victims, some who were young teenagers.
The above were all found guilty, as was Kyle Hayes in Limerick. The PSNI investigated claims of domestic abuse against Rory Gallagher and while files were passed to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in January and June 2022, it was deemed there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
Like it or not - and notwithstanding innuendo and rumour - that’s where we are.
Double standards?
Burns also said: “I think there is a difference between a player, who comes under the influence of a coach and a coach under whose influence the players lie. That’s a massive difference.
“When you are a manager, you are imbuing your worldview, your values onto a team. You are the adult. And in many instances it is younger people and impressionable young men coming under your influence. Once you go through the process and end the process, that’s different. It would have been wrong of me not to at least offer my perspective. I do not have any authority here, this is up to the club but I am offering my perspective.”
As a friend from Monaghan observed: “He never uttered a word about Rory’s involvement with Corduff...the Monaghan boys would have just told him to f…k off!”
A Late Late miss?
When I saw that The 2 Johnnies were guests on a GAA Late Late special, I despaired to tell you the truth. The tribute to Michéal Ó Muircheartaigh was well deserved; ‘Spillane the Beans’ should be Pat’s next book, but the big disappointment was the treatment of Offaly legend Seamus Darby.
Offaly legend Seamus Darby is best remembered for scoring an unexpected late goal that deprived Kerry of a five-in-a-row in the 1982 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final
Several viewers described the treatment of the Offaly great as “disrespectful” and “abysmal treatment”, questioning why such a legendary figure was brought on without being given the chance to share his story.
Cormac O’Malley posted: “Seamus Darby probably would have been the most interesting person to talk to tonight on the #LateLateShow but no. Could have been a whole segment on his own, he has such a story. But no.”
Another wrote: “Very disrespectful to bring out Seamus Darby and not even talk to him! Instead, the 2 Johnnies got just a bit more airtime......as if they hadn't got enough!”
The Holy Trinity
Pat Spillane, Colm O’Rourke and Joe Brolly are standing before God inside the pearly gates. God looks at them and says, "Before granting you a place near my throne, I must first ask you what you believe in. Addressing Colm O’Rourke first he asks, "What do you believe?"
O Rourke states with some passion: "I believe Gaelic Football to be the food of life. Nothing else brings such unbridled joy to so many from the long grass of Meath to the bogs of Kerry. I have devoted my life to bring that joy to such people supporting their club and county." God is impressed and offers Colm the seat to his left.
He then turns to Brolly. “And you, Mr. Brolly, what do you believe?” After adjusting his glasses and calming his hands, Joe says: “I believe courage, honour and passion are the fundamentals of life and I’ve spent my whole playing career providing a living embodiment of these traits.” God, moved by this speech offers Joe the seat to his right.
Finally, he turns to Pat Spillane. “And you, Mr. Spillane, what do you believe?”
“I believe”, hisses Pat, “that you're in my seat!”
Pronounce this…with drink taken!
Many years ago, a young man, the worse for wear, came spaltering into a Carrick hostelry looking for a drink. He was refused but was gently directed to a soft seat and offered tea and sympathy. Out of civility, one of the locals asked him: “What are you at this weather?”
“I’m doing a philosophical doctorate on epistemology,” was the pompous but slurred reply.
“Musha,” was the retort, “you have all the signs of it”.