*Whitegate’s David Solan. Photograph: Natasha Barton
CRITICISM of comments passed by a County Board official have been raised by one club delegate.
Whitegate’s David Solan addressing the January meeting of the Clare County Board sought a contribution from Vice Chairman, Michael O’Connor to inform the attendance about their exchange following the conclusion of the December meeting whereby a vote was held to determine if there would be teams relegated from the 2021 Clare SHC.
“When I approached the top table after the meeting in December, I wanted to clarify if you voted or not,” Solan said to the Chairman, Kieran Keating. “The Vice Chairman came up behind me in your presence, I would like for the Vice Chairman to repeat what he said in front of us”. He told the meeting that the comments were repeated a second time.
Keating acknowledged, “it was a heated discussion”. He said he was unsure if the Vice Chairman was logged onto the online meeting. “You’re a big boy, I don’t think you’re as hurt as you want me to think,” the Chairman added.
Solan replied, “I didn’t address the man at all, he accused me of trying to blacken his name and used derogatory language”.
According to the Chairman, the discussion was “not appropriate for this meeting”. He felt it would be better for both men to discuss the matter offline, “do you think the two of us will shake hands,” David questioned.
“Come back to me if you want to talk to me about, I don’t think it is a matter for the County Committee,” Keating stated. “Even though it was at a meeting,” the Whitegate man responded. The Chairman outlined that the meeting had concluded at the time and then brought the debate to a close.
Earlier in the meeting, Solan criticised the inclusion of O’Connor at meetings of the County Executive prior to a decision being reached on the relegation controversy due to the Vice Chairman’s role as Chairman of Crusheen who were due to be relegated from the Clare SHC before making an appeal to Munster Council.
