'Disgusted' Dublin icon Stephen Cluxton dropped to Parnells' second team in protest at how crisis club was run
Earlier this year one of Dublin's oldest GAA club, Parnells, was liquidated.
The club, serving the parishes of Coolock and Artane, had been in financial difficulty for some time, having been ordered to pay a redundancy lump sum to 11 staff members who were not given work after the start of the Covid pandemic.
However in 2008, Parnells GAA club sold lands near Dublin Airport for €22 million, making it the wealthiest of Ireland's 1,610 GAA clubs.
Last night's Prime Time investigation detailed the club's precipitous fall.
For a period in the last decade the club, chasing a first county title since 1988, was synonymous with the recruitment of inter-county stars from outside Dublin.
Internal club documents – seen by Prime Time – show the scale of money allocated to some within the club. One player received almost €20,000 over a 16-month period – €8,050 for coaching and €11,600 for travel and subsistence.
A number of years later, a coach was paid €16,820 in travel and subsistence payments over a 9-month period.
However, the most successful inter-county footballer at Parnells (or any other club for that matter) is nine-time All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton - Parnells through and through.
Just as Dublin were beginning to dominate, he took the unusual decision to drop down to the club's second team.
As the goalkeeper has never been one for speaking to the media, his reasons for doing so were never made clear.
However Prime Time last night revealed that in late September 2014 Cluxton wrote a letter to all members of the club executive.
He outlined the reasons why he had taken the highly unusual decision to regrade down, to play for the club's second team.
He also detailed his "frustration at the direction in which the club is being lead".
The letter stated: "I don't agree with the policy of head-hunting players" and "I don't agree that county players are treated to various perks".
He added that he was "disgusted with the tax situation having to be settled in the manner in which it was" and "I am disgusted that the club is now in debt".
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Heartbroken' family of teenager killed in Meath swim tragedy confirm funeral details for boy taken ‘far too early'
THE funeral details of a teenage boy who drowned while swimming in Meath have been confirmed. Talented footballer 2 Kofi Owusu tragically drowned while swimming in Co Meath 2 Kofi had been living in the Blackrock area of Dundalk in Co Louth Credit: Coláiste Chú Chulainn His body was Kofi, who also went by the surname of Jackson, became the second teenager to lose his life in the water this week. He was from the Blackrock area of And now, the heartbroken family have confirmed his funeral details. Read more in News In a listing on the teen's family confirmed that his funeral will take place on Friday at 1pm. His death notice reads: "Kofi will be so missed by his heartbroken parents Tony and Maria, sisters Faith and Esther, the extended family, his friends including the students of Coláiste Chú Chulainn and his teammates in Redeemer Celtic, and the congregation at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Miracle Land, Castletown Road, Dundalk." Kofi will repose in the Eternity Room of Quinn's Funeral Homes, Dundalk from 3pm-7pm on Thursday, June 26. Requiem mass will take place on Friday, June 27 at 1pm at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Miracle Land, Castletown Road, Dundalk. Most read in Irish News This will be followed by burial at St. Patrick's Cemetery. Kofi's requiem mass can be viewed live on RCCG Miracleland Dundalk Youtube page and funerals live link Urgent warning for Irish parents as RNLI issues major water safety advice ahead of school holidays Kofi's terrible passing prompted a deluge of tributes to his memory. Kofi's The club launched a Paying tribute to their player, Redeemer Celtic said: "A child of fantastic talent. Hugely popular with a wide circle of friends. "A child whose characteristics show he was raised as a highly respectful youngster. He was a credit to his loving family. 'HORRENDOUS TIME' "A family that have been devastated by a tragedy, and sadly we have no words to ease their suffering at this horrendous time. "This [appeal] can only help with support of the financial burden that also comes sadly at a heartbreaking times to so many. "May God Rest your gentle soul Kofi, and gift strength to your family & loved ones at this time. Rest in peace Kofi." Kofi Owusu had just finished completing his Junior Certificate in Colaiste Chu Chulainn earlier this month. 'VERY CARING YOUNG MAN' In a statement, the school described his loss as a "terrible tragedy" for his family, friends, the school community and the local and surrounding areas. A spokesperson said: "Kofi was a very caring young man with a wide circle of friends. "He was a diligent student and a regular awardee for excellent attendance. "Kofi was also an accomplished sportsman. He was a member of the school's under 15 soccer team and represented the school in the recent Leinster Shield final on the 19 of May 2025. "Kofi was also a member of the school's under 16 basketball team and represented the school in the All-Ireland final on the 23 of January 2025. "Our sympathy and thoughts are with Kofi's family and friends at this time." 'A CREDIT TO YOU' Tributes have poured in from across the country for the young teenager. One person said: "We were neighbours in Limerick and remember fondly the children playing with their pals and the sheer youthful joy they brought. "Kofi was a credit to you. May your many memories be a blessing." Another said: "Kofi was a beautiful young soul taken far too early. "He had manners of a saint and a smile that would brighten any room. May his love get you through this unimaginable pain."
Irish Times
34 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Jessica Harrington admits Irish Derby win would be ‘top of the list' of racing achievements
Green Impact winning the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby would be 'top of the list' according to Jessica Harrington , eclipsing her Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Chase-winning exploits over obstacles. Harrington is perhaps mostly known for the long and distinguished career of star two-mile chaser Moscow Flyer and the subsequent blue riband win of Sizing John, but she has also made her mark on the level and having bagged the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Irish Oaks previously now has her eye on the Curragh's elite contest for three-year-old colts. 'These are very important races and ones that are recognised worldwide – just like winning a Champion Chase and Gold Cup in the National Hunt sphere, but winning an Irish Derby would be fantastic,' said Harrington. 'It would very much be top of the list, so I would love to win the Irish Derby.' READ MORE Green Impact has won three of his four starts since narrowly beaten on debut at the Curragh during Irish Derby weekend 12 months ago, accounting for Delacroix in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on his final juvenile start. He impressed when winning the Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown earlier this month, a welcome confidence booster after losing a shoe at a vital stage of the 2,000 Guineas on his return. 'I wouldn't say he didn't get the run of the race in the 2,000 Guineas as he travelled into the race great, but when he got down to the dip he went to change his legs and went to go and try to win the race and he then just lost a shoe and got a bit unbalanced and ended up finishing sixth,' said Harrington. 'At the time I was disappointed but coming out of that race afterwards he was sore and so we gave him a bit of time. The intention was to go to the French Derby but we didn't get there, so we gave him the run in Leopardstown and all roads lead to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby after that.' Now the son of Wootton Bassett is a best price of 10-1 for his Classic assignment, as he prepares to tackle a mile and a half for the first time in a race that could feature the first three home from the Epsom equivalent. 'I think he'll benefit for the step up in trip, he won over a mile as a two-year-old and usually if they do that they stay,' added Harrington. 'He's by Wootton Bassett and out of a Galileo mare and he's also a very laid-back character and very relaxed and easy to do anything with, so I think he will stay. 'It's a big task and everyone looks and sees only 10 runners, but the majority of those 10 runners are quality horses.'
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Alcohol health-warning labels to be delayed amid US-EU tariff dispute, says Harris
The introduction of health-warning labels on alcohol products will need to be delayed due to concerns over the trade tariff dispute with the United States, according to Tánaiste Simon Harris . He also highlighted how there is just '13 days to do a deal between Europe and the United States' that will protect jobs, investment and the economy here and elsewhere in the European Union. When he announced his tariffs, US president Donald Trump initially said trade coming from the EU would be subject to a 20 per cent rate, before more recently threatening tariffs of 50 per cent if no deal was agreed before July 9th. Officials in Brussels have begun to accept an agreement will likely mean conceding to import duties of 10 per cent, in place since Mr Trump's 'liberation day' announcement. READ MORE Mandatory health labelling for alcohol products, including cancer warnings, was among a raft measures included in the Public Health Alcohol Act. The plan had been to introduce the labels in May 2026. Mr Harris last month cast doubt on the plans and said at a press conference on Wednesday it is his view that 'we will need to delay that'. 'I think we need to do that for a variety of reasons, most particularly the situation in relation to trade and tariffs.' He said jobs have to be protected and Irish industry has to be supported 'at a really key moment of economic turbulence'. He said the Government will make a decision on the matter in the coming weeks adding: 'this is about providing a brief breather' as opposed to changing the legislation, which he said is clear in relation to labelling. Mr Harris had been asked if the Government would introduce the labels within the next five years. He said the length of any delay has not been decided but 'it would be for less than five years'. He said that many parts of the legislation have already been introduced including separation of alcohol products in shops, restrictions on advertising near schools and minimum unit pricing. Mr Harris, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, has convened a meeting of the Trade Forum next Wednesday in advance of the July 9th deadline for a deal on tariffs 'to tease through issues with key stakeholders'. Mr Harris said he is 'in constant contact' with EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič adding: 'We need to find a deal here that works because the consequences of not having a deal and running a higher rate of tariffs has a real impact on jobs and investment'. He added: 'I will continue to stress the importance of reaching a deal to avoid any further negative impact on economies not only in the EU, but the US also, and making the case for zero for zero tariffs in as many areas as possible.'
