Jarlath Burns praises CCCC following McGuinness criticism
Last Sunday, Donegal manager Jim McGuinness hit out at the decision to fix their game against Mayo for Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon, branding the decision "unfair" and suggesting that their opponents would not have been made to travel that distance.
Speaking after the preliminary quarter-final draw on RTÉ's Morning Ireland on Monday, CCCC chief Brian Carroll defended their choice of venues and outlined the considerations that had to be weighed when selecting appropriate grounds.
In his address to the media at the launch of the knockout phase of the All-Ireland football championship in Croke Park, Burns, without referencing any manager's comments directly, singled out the CCCC for particular praise.
"I think they do an incredible job," Burns said. "I think they are amazing people and I just thought that it was important to put on record my appreciation and thanks for the work that they do in very complex circumstances.
"I was on the way back (from the Tailteann Cup quarter-final draw) in the car with Bernard Smith (Games Administration Manager).
"He took seven phone calls from counties asking for clarification on this, asking for a favour there, asking that they could play at a particular time. And I think every one of those requests was met.
"Whenever fixtures are being made, there are so, so many things that they have to take into consideration, particularly with regard to neutral venues."
Burns went on to say that every decision around venues was taken to ensure there was no hint of bias.
"You guys (the media) know our CCCC and you know how hard they work to ensure that everything is done to the best of their ability to ensure safety and to ensure that there's no bias and to do the best that they can for all of our teams."
Following Monday's draw, Carroll specifically defended the choice of Hyde Park following McGuinness' comments, noting that the obvious venue, Markievicz Park, was ruled out due to ongoing maintenance work on the pitch.
" Breffni Park wasn't available - Cavan were playing at the same time," Carroll said. "Clones wasn't available because Monaghan were playing two hours earlier in the day and Omagh wasn't available because Tyrone were playing at the same time."
Also at the launch, Burns said that the changes made by the Football Review Committee had re-invigorated Gaelic football as a spectacle, pointing to attendance figures for the group stage which show a 21% increase when compared with the 2024 group stages.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Sligo Rovers win at Dalymount to book FAI Cup quarter-final spot
FAI Cup, third round: Bohemians 0 Sligo Rovers 1 (Elding 53) Sam Sargeant saved a penalty before Owen Elding scored another cracking goal at Dalymount Park to leave Bohemians looking back in anger at their FAI Cup exit. Sligo Rovers have enjoyed some big cup days and nights at the home of Irish football. The Bit O' Red lifted their first FAI Cup at Dalymount on a rain-sodden afternoon in 1983. Their more recent back-to-back wins in 2010 and 2011 came after narrow semi-final victories over Bohemians at the Phibsborough venue when current manager John Russell was a player. READ MORE And they put their league struggles behind them to delight their 400-strong fans to book a spot in thus year's quarter-finals. Beaten finalists twice in the last four years, Bohs' quest for another Blue Riband will now stretch to 18 years. Sporting their light blue Oasis kit, given the weekend that's in it, Bohemians were put on the back foot early on as Sligo started with plenty of purpose. And as they struggled to get into the game, Bohs survived a let off on 14 minutes. A mistake by skipper Keith Buckley gifted the ball to Jad Hakiki who skipped into the clear in Bohs' half. But a poor touch allowed James Talbot to get to the ball first to avert the danger. Having scarcely been in the game, Bohs then conjured the first real sight of goal a minute later. Dayle Rooney put opposite winger Connor Parsons away on the left. Though the Englishman cleverly cut past Conor Reynolds, his drive was saved by Sergeant at the goalkeeper's right-hand post. Bohemians' Dawson Devoy in action against Sligo Rovers' Sean Stewart. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Very much alive in the game now, Bohs troubled Sligo again minutes later from Rooney's corner, Douglas James-Taylor meeting the delivery to plant his header wide. Sligo midfielder Sebastian Quirk was likewise off target with a shot at the other end from Sligo's third corner of the night in an open contest. With Sligo back enjoying a spell of concerted pressure, Buckley had to clear Patrick McClean's header off the line from Ryan O'Kane's corner in the big chance of the half. Moments later winger O'Kane saw his ball into the area whizz past the far post. The end-to-end action continued as half-time approached, Parsons firing wide of the Sligo goal after skilfully working the opening before Sargeant tipped away a dangerous cross-shot from Rooney. Twice coming close to taking the lead just before the interval, Bohs blew a real chance to do so three minutes into the second half after McClean tripped Devoy to concede a penalty. Sargeant chose right to bat away Rooney's spot kick. James-Taylor was then guilty of blazing over the top after Ross Tierney's put the rebound back into the area. Six minutes later, Sligo punished poor defending to take the lead with a fine goal. The tenacity of Fitzgerald nicked the ball off Buckley to feed it on to Elding. The 19-year-old, who scored on his last visit to Dalymount in June, needed little invitation to take on the shot first time with his left foot to drill it past Talbot to the bottom corner for his 10th goal of the season. Bohs' Douglas James-Taylor reacts to a missed chance. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho With Bohs chasing the game now, Sergeant made his second telling save of the night to tip over a Rooney cross that had deflected goalwards off defender Ollie Denham. Try as they might, Bohs couldn't conjure an equaliser with Sargeant there again with another top stop to deny substitute Rhys Brennan on 90 minutes. Elsewhere, Cork City beat Waterford 2-1 in a Munster derby at Turner's Cross while Galway United eased past local non-league side Salthill Devon with a comfortable 4-0 win at Eamon Deacy Park. In a repeat of the 1999 final, Finn Harps beat Bray Wanderers 3-1 in Ballybofey, while in the other all-First Division clash, Kerry booked their spot in the last eight with a 2-0 win over Cobh Ramblers. BOHEMIANS: Talbot; Morahan, Byrne, Kavanagh (Smith, 54), Flores; Buckley (McDonnell, 67), Devoy; Rooney (Brennan, 67), Tierney, Parsons; James-Taylor (Whelan, 74). SLIGO ROVERS: Sargeant; Reynolds (Agbaje, 51), Denham, McClean, Stewart; Harkin, Quirk; O'Kane (Patton, 81), Hakiki (Manning, 81), Fitzgerald; Elding. Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan (Cork). Attendance: 4,246.
Irish Examiner
6 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
€500,000 raised to help West Cork girl following farming accident
Féile O'Sullivan, the young West Cork girl who had a devastating accident on a farm last month, is now speaking, eating, and re-learning skills like writing as her treatment continues. The sports-mad 13-year-old girl had another operation on Thursday at Crumlin Hospital after needing a double amputation following the tragic incident in early July. Donations to help the family reached more than €508,000 by Friday, from Cork, across Ireland, and as far as Montana in the US. An adapted car has also been arranged for the family through the All-Ireland GAA Golf Classic charity. Cormac McMahon, who is secretary of Garnish GAA club, of which Féile and her mother Maureen are members, said the club are in regular contact with the family. He said: 'The last update I had was she was doing well, all things considered. 'She is now speaking and eating, and even had some friends in to visit, which is nice. She understand what's happened to her, and accepts what happened to her, but she is being really positive about it.' Mr McMahon explained her long-term goal is to get back into school by the end of the school year. It's going to be a tough road for her. She had another major surgery on Thursday "She's not got full sensation back into her hands yet, so she's starting to re-learn how to write her name. It's known she had one leg completely amputated and the other leg partially amputated, and there were other injuries as well.' She was treated locally by first responders on the day of the accident six weeks ago, and flown by air ambulance to Cork University Hospital. One week later, she was transferred to Dublin. Community support Earlier this week, Féile spoke by video to her friends taking part in the summer Cúl Camp with the club, an emotional milestone for her and them. This club is one of many sports and community groups in Allihies who came together to fundraise under the banner of Stand 4 Féile. The young girl and her mother were active in GAA, soccer, rugby, horse riding, and more. The fact her accident happened on a farm has brought support from many agricultural organisations, such as Macra na Feirme, which understands the daily risks farmers face. Bantry Blues player and teacher Sean O' Leary has taught Féile. 'I can't speak highly enough of her,' he said. 'She's a very positive young woman and we wish her all the best.' He is one of many GAA players posting videos online calling on people to support the child and her family, including former Cork stars Valerie Mulcahy and Áine Terry O' Sullivan. Mr McMahon said: 'It's been a nice boost to see this for Feile as well and her mum. They're up in Crumlin looking at this online, and seeing all the goodwill messages.' Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said the family are now also linked into the All-Ireland GAA Golf Classic charity. This important link will see a modified Ford Transit Connect with wheelchair accessibility sponsored by the charity. 'It's a great boost to Féile's family,' he said, adding: 'The value of the vehicle is around €70,000 and can be upgraded every few years at minimum cost.' The golf charity's next team event takes place in October in Killarney. It is just one of the many ways campaigners can help in the coming years. Medical expenses Mr McMahon said: 'The money will be put into trust for Féile in some form." It will cover medical expenses, work on their house, and supporting Maureen, a teacher, in caring for Feile. Helping hands have reached out from as far away as Butte, Montana, donating a beautiful hand-made quilt for raffle by Allihies Men's Shed. Butte and Allihies share a long history following emigration of copper miners from West Cork in the late 1800s. Quilt-maker Claire Thornburgh said: 'Who could be unmoved by Féile's story, particularly when our cousins and friends in her community are hurting for her as well?' She described the beautiful design as 'my tribute to Butte, Montana's Irish heritage". On August 24, vintage farming equipment not seen in the region for at least 60 years will tackle a field of oats for the fundraising campaign. The crop has been donated by the farmer and will be auctioned at Kenmare Mart in Kerry. Meanwhile, the list of fundraising sporting events grows by the day. On Monday, Cork City soccer club will donate all proceeds from their Corky Camp for children in Castletownbere. Beara United urged families to sign up, saying: 'Fair play to Cork City FC doing their bit to help out our Fèile.' Young footballers at Rosscarbery Ladies Football Club raised €993 with a tuck shop during the U12 Munster Club clubs have run cake sales and raffles with a growing stream of supportive videos online. The next few weeks will see a walk organised by Beara Athletic Club and the Eyeries Family Festival, a 12-hour sea swim relay, and a cycle from Dublin to Allihies. Donations accepted through GoFundMe at:
Irish Independent
6 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Ireland end scoring drought but suffer Women's EuroHockey Championship defeat to Scotland
A 3-2 defeat saw the lower-ranked Scots record their first EuroHockey victory over Ireland since 2013, scoring three times in the last 11 minutes for good measure. The riveting finale followed an uneventful three quarters, with Lizzie Murphy making two noteworthy penalty corner saves. Roisín Upton finally opened Ireland's campaign in the 35th minute. It came via a penalty stroke after Katie Mullan was fouled in the circle. Upton was off the pitch when Ireland missed from the spot at a crucial moment in the Germany defeat midweek - although rules dictate that she could have come on - but here she flicked clinically to hand her side the lead. Charlotte Watson equalised courtesy of the same route in the fourth quarter, before Mullan restored parity with a powerful shot nine minutes from time. Moments later and Amy Costello's corner dragflick proved too good for Murphy as Scotland levelled again. Ireland's hopes for another fifth-place finish then evaporated six minutes from time. A crash ball into the D was seemingly left alone by the Irish defence, only for the ball to clatter off the post and Heather McEwan gleefully tapped home. It was an inglorious ending, especially for the hapless Murphy in goal, Ireland's standout player this week. Gareth Grundie's side will now face England in their final classification match on Sunday morning. England, who have finished outside the medals for the fourth edition running, will be looking for their fifth EuroHockey win in succession over the Green Army. Ireland have dropped two places to world No.13 following their pool exit. One respite is that they have earned a place at a 2026 World Cup qualifier tournament.
