Fan Abuse Causes Maughan to Quit

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Irish Voice Sport

Fan Abuse Causes Maughan to Quit

April 2, 2008

By Cathal Dervan

JOHN Maughan sensationally quit as manager of the Roscommon football team on Monday after shipping abuse from fans after his team’s 0-7 to 1-14 defeat to Westmeath in Kiltoom on Sunday left them on the brink of relegation from Division Two of the NFL.

Maughan hit back at the supporters when he referred to them as “customers” in a TV interview on Sunday night and again in the Irish Independent.

The Roscommon County Board executive took exception to the remark, and Maughan quit after talks on Monday morning.

A statement from the board said, “Roscommon GAA condemns the personal abuse that John and his selectors have been subjected to in the recent past. The instigators of this abuse do not represent the genuine Roscommon supporter and are not welcome as Roscommon supporters at our games.”

Former All-Ireland winning minor boss Fergie O’Donnell is to be asked to take charge of the team on an interim basis.

Before he quit Maughan claimed the abuse which eventually forced him out was over the top and said, “I called them ‘customers’ in reference to something I heard Graeme Souness say one time in an interview. I don’t believe they are GAA supporters because no GAA supporter indulges in this level of abuse.

“Some of those shouting the abuse have called for my head, and if John Maughan is the problem well then maybe it is time to consider my position. But I’m doing my very best here and thankfully I’ve had calls today from decent Roscommon GAA people too, many of them offering support.

“The reality is Roscommon football is where it is at the moment. But there is a future. The under-21s are in a Connacht final next week and there are young players who just need time. They have given tremendous commitment through all of this and their confidence has been drained. The level of abuse hasn’t helped them either, though.”

Former Roscommon, Clare and Fermanagh boss Maughan may return to management in the future but he has warned the GAA to sort out the supporters responsible for his departure.

“Sometimes I wonder who’ll want these jobs down the line,” he claimed. “It has started to creep into the GAA over the last number of years. Maybe it was always there but less stated. I put my heart and soul into football. I love managing teams but this is testing.”

NFL Blunder

THE NFL Division Two final may be pushed back a week after the late postponement of the Armagh-Dublin game last Sunday and the angry scenes that followed when local officials refused to hand out refunds to the 1,500 patrons who had already paid in.

Instead Armagh have offered free admission for the re-fixture, currently fixed for Crossmaglen next Wednesday, April 9.

In an embarrassing move the GAA were forced to issue an apology to the fans affected. The press release said, “The GAA understands the frustration caused to Dublin and Armagh supporters.

“There was confirmation that the pitch was considered playable up to noon. It remained playable subsequent to this but following continuous rain and hail from noon the referee decided that the pitch was unplayable at approximately 1:30 p.m.

“His decision was on health and safety grounds and he conveyed this to the event organizers. The match referee has sole responsibility for any decision taken relative to the suitability of a pitch from a premise of health and safety and his decision is final.

“The association fully understands the desire and aspiration of everybody associated with the teams to play the game but fully supports the referee in his decision as the health and safety of the players has to be paramount and take precedence over other exigencies irrespective of how pressing these may be.

“The event organizers, the Armagh County Board, considered that it would be logistically impossible to organize and administer a refund operation for supporters on the day as admission was by cash payment at the stiles.

“It is estimated that there was approximately 1,500 in the ground where an attendance of approximately 8,000 — 10,000 would normally be expected. The GAA has said that it understands and fully accepts the annoyance and inconvenience experienced by supporters but states that, in the circumstances, there is no more that it could meaningfully do.”

Armagh were unhappy with the late call. “I played in a lot worse places. I think that game could have gone ahead today,” said selector Benny Tierney. “A lot of people have traveled up from Dublin and to make their way to the ground and then pay in, it’s disappointing.

“It just goes to prove that we are an amateur organization.”

Dublin chief executive John Costello said, “We’re a bit disappointed that the game was postponed, but the decision was based on health and safety grounds. A similar occurrence happened at Parnell Park two or three weeks ago against Monaghan.”

Fitzgerald Retires

CLARE legend Davy Fitzgerald has retired after 18 years as one of Ireland’s top hurling goalkeepers and a career that included All-Ireland medals with the Banner in 1995 and 1997.

Fitzgerald made his decision public on Monday when he informed manager Mike McNamara that he will not be available to the county again.

The 36-year-old was an ever present in the Clare side until last year when he fell out with coach Tony Considine in a row over training methods.

He did return for a challenge game against Kilkenny in March, but has now called it quits after sustaining a serious finger injury last October.

“Davy Fitzgerald was one of the best, if not the best, hurling goalkeepers of the last 40 years,” said former Galway manager Cyril Farrell.

Sheehan Scores

BRYAN Sheehan scored 10 points as Kerry defeated Laois 0-16 to 0-12 in the NFL at O’Moore Park on Saturday night and earned lavish praise from manager Pat O’Shea afterwards.

“Bryan is an exceptional striker of the ball. He was magnificent from the dead ball and he contributed enormously too from play as well,” said O’Shea who also thanked veteran midfielder Darragh O Se for his contribution.

“Genuinely, we are fortunate to be still seeing this guy in action. From someone of his stature and what he has achieved, this was a huge thing,” claimed the Kerry boss

Cavan Wins

CAVAN forward and man of the match Seanie Johnston believes Saturday night’s 0-13 to 0-12 NFL win over Cork at Breffni Park can help the Ulster side mount a successful fight against relegation.

“We always knew coming into this division it was always going to be tough. But we know when we get boys back and get our full team on the field we’re a match for anyone,” claimed Johnston.

“Beating the All-Ireland finalists of last year is no mean achievement. We’re delighted with the win and hopefully we can build on it from here. We’ve two more games, Roscommon and Westmeath, both away. So they’re going to be tough but we believe we can stay up.”

Headbutt Sorry

THE Dublin official who headbutted Monaghan star Tommy Freeman has apologized in person to the player and now faces a lengthy ban when his case is considered by the Central Competitions Control Committee.

“The man apologized in person and that apology has been accepted 100 percent by everybody involved here in Monaghan,” said Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney.

“He was sincere and genuinely remorseful for what happened and we had no problem at all in accepting that apology. Tommy fully accepted the apology as well.”

Shefflin Recovering

KILKENNY’S top star Henry Shefflin is on the way back after his cruciate ligament injury nightmare but admits he is unsure as to whether or not he can play at the same high level again.

“Naturally enough, I think everyone would have that fear after a big injury like this,” said Shefflin. “That’s why I want to get my knee right and only then when I am 100% will I go back.

“But, of course, there’s a worry. After a serious injury which requires surgery you are always wondering, it’s always there in the back of your mind about how you’ll be as a player. Time is the only thing that can tell on that score.”

GAA Shorts

LEAGUE scores from the weekend, NFL Division 1, Kerry 0-16 Laois 0-12, Kildare 2-8 Mayo 2-14, Galway 3-9 Derry 0-13, Tyrone 0-11 Donegal 0-9.

Division 2, Cavan 0-13 Cork 0-12, Roscommon 0-7 Westmeath 1-14, Monaghan 1-12 Meath 0-10. Division 3, Sligo 0-14 Fermanagh 0-17, Longford 0-14 Louth 2-21, Wexford 1-10 Leitrim 0-7. Division 4, Carlow 1-10 Tipperary 1-9, Offaly 0-13 Waterford 1-8, London 0-5 Antrim 3-19, Clare 0-11 Wicklow 0-8. Hurling 1A playoff, Waterford 1-19 Cork 2-17 . . .

THE Wexford board are to lodge an official objection with the Disputes Resolution Authority after their relegation to Division 2 of the NHL. Wexford are incensed that they were relegated while Cork, who missed two games in the competition due to a players strike, were reinstated and went on to qualify for the quarterfinals . . .

COLM Gooch Cooper has arrived back in Kerry after a five-month break in America and is on course to return to the county football squad in the near future but not before the end conclusion of the divisional stages of the NFL. Declan O’Sullivan has resumed training after a groin injury while team captain Paul Galvin is also close to a return after injury . . .

DECLAN Fanning, Diarmuid Fitzgerald, Eoin Kelly and Seamus Callinan are all back in contention for Tipperary ahead of Sunday’s NHL quarterfinal against Waterford. Pat Kerwick is doubtful and midfielder Hugh Maloney is definitely out . . .

THE Mayo County Board have announced plans to install temporary video cameras at McHale Park following their ?5,000 fine after a fan fired a wooden object at Kerry star Kieran Donaghy in a recent NFL game . . .

MAYO’S Peadar Gardiner will miss the rest of the NFL campaign after breaking his jaw in a club game with Crossmolina . . .

SLIGO star Eamonn O’Hara has been cleared of all charges in relation to his recent red card against Leitrim in the NFL . . .

CORK’S Joan O’Flynn has been voted in as the incoming president of the Camogie Association . . .

LIMERICK will host Cork in Sunday’s NHL quarterfinal after a toss of coin to decide the venue . . .

OFFALY’S Brendan Murphy is a doubt for the championship after tearing ligaments in his knee.

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