THE Carlow senior footballers have hit back at “distasteful” claims made by departing manager Shane Curran.
Curran stepped down on Wednesday, just six months on from succeeding Niall Carew as head coach in September.
A statement issued through the Carlow GAA county board alleged “player-related issues” he believed were “beyond the scope” of the management team.
The outgoing management also cited ‘ongoing issues with certain players, which were further compounded by the failure of several squad members to return home with the team after last weekend’s NFL game in London’.
On Friday, a statement issued on behalf of the Carlow squad hit back at the claims, insisting that the stopover in London had been agreed to.
It read: “We would like to be concentrating all our efforts on Meath in the first round of the Leinster Senior Football Champions on April 6.
“Instead, we find ourselves at the centre of controversy not of our making.
“‘Player issues’ were not to blame for the departure of the management team on the brink of the championship and we believe this has been used to question our commitment.
“There were persistent concerns with the overall organisation and training environment throughout the league.
“Players had communicated their frustrations to both the management team and the county board for many weeks
“This resulted in a number of players opting out of the panel and a selector removing himself from the management team.
“To suggest that players lack commitment – particularly in referencing players staying in London after a game – is both unfair and misleading.
“This had been communicated and agreed in advance with the management.
“We are amateur athletes, and what we do in our personal lives should not be used as a tool to deflect from other issues.
“For his now to be used as a means of disparaging players is distasteful.
“We want to emphasise, we did not want to make any public comment on this and would have preferred to part ways with the management team as amicable as possible.
“Now we feel we have no other choice as our character and dedication to the Carlow jersey has been questioned.
“We have always and will always give our all for the Carlow jersey and supporters.
“Our focus is on facing Meath, where it should be.
“We wish the former management team the best.”
