Clare GAA treasurer Michael Gallagher has apologised to Éire Óg's Niall O'Connor regarding comments which he made at a county board meeting last week.
O'Connor, who is the son of former Clare joint hurling manager Gerry O'Connor, raised €4,000 to provide the county's U20 hurlers with food following training.
At the county board meeting, Gallagher questioned O'Connor's motivation for raising the money, and asked "Was it for the good of the U20 hurlers or was it to embarrass the county board?"
The clare 20s are not receiving any nutrition post training, A few of us have gone and arranged this basic requirement between now and July 20th. Thanks to those businesses that have kindly sponsored so far. Looking forward to securing more tomorrow. Shame it has come to this.
— Niall O Connor (@nialloc90) May 20, 2021
Clare GAA treasurer Michael Gallagher's apology to Niall O'Connor
In an email to the Éire Óg club, Gallagher said:
"In response to your letter re. my comments directed at Niall O’Connor at last Monday nights (24/05) Co Board Meeting, 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.
"As you know, I have enjoyed a long and friendly relationship with your Club, for nearly 20 years, through our joint promotion of an underage football tournament (which is dear to my heart). I don’t wish to see anything divert us from maintaining and furthering those friendships.
"Regards
"Michael"
Éire Óg also issued a statement on behalf of O'Connor.
"Niall O’Connor welcomes the apology from Michael Gallagher and accepts it in a spirit of reconciliation and for the greater good of Clare GAA. 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."
Photo by Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile
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