Clare GAA Treasurer, Michael Gallagher has issued an apology for comments made at last Monday’s heated meeting of the County Board.
Tensions reached boiling point at the May meeting of the Clare County Board with a raft of delegates and Clare GAA Vice Chairperson Kieran Keating leading the call for Gallagher to retract comments made about Éire Óg’s Niall O’Connor.
Praise was first extended to O’Connor by the Treasurer for raising funds which have been used to give the U20 hurlers post-training nutrition. Rory Hickey of the Ennis club told the meeting that €4000 was raised in four hours.
Gallagher acknowledged the efforts of O’Connor but questioned the motivations and not making contact before raising the funds. Past events involving the son of ex Clare joint manager Gerry O’Connor were also referenced by the ex Garda. This drew criticism from a host of delegates including those from Kilmaley, Clarecastle and Éire Óg.
On Sunday evening, Éire Óg released a statement which confirmed that the Treasurer had make contact to apologise. “I would like to say, on reflection, I can see how my comments were hurtful and embarrassing to Niall and, I wish to offer my apologies directly to Niall for those comments. I don’t intend to try to explain or offer excuses for making those comments, because I don’t think that would be helpful either,” Gallagher said in correspondence to the club.
In a statement on O’Connor’s behalf, Éire Óg noted that the apology was welcomed and accepted. “Niall also wishes to acknowledge that, in hindsight, it would have been appropriate that the Co. Treasurer was involved in any fundraising initiatives. In view of the above, we now consider this matter closed and we wish to move on in a spirit of harmony, for the betterment of Clare GAA”.
