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Ciarán McDonald
Menapian.
(1,498 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 10:56
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From today`s Indo:
Independent.ie
Forced out
By Exclusive
Wednesday April 30 2008
CIARAN McDonald`s days in a Mayo jersey are almost certainly at an end but he insists that it`s not his choice and that he is deeply disappointed with what has unfolded in recent months.
He is also unhappy with the manner the matter has been handled by John O`Mahony, with whom he claims he has had only one conversation in over five months.
"If John O`Mahony doesn`t want me on the Mayo panel let him tell me to my face. If he said to me `Ciaran, I`m going with younger lads this year` I`d be disappointed but I`d put out my hand to him and say that`s fine. If he thinks I`m not good enough anymore, let him come out and say it.
"I would have loved to play with Mayo again this year but obviously he doesn`t want me which is fair enough but I don`t want Mayo people to think that I wouldn`t play for him because it`s not true. Playing for Mayo meant an awful lot to me," he said.
Gifted
One of the most naturally gifted forwards of his generation, McDonald has always avoided interviews in a career where he preferred to express himself through his exquisite talents but decided to break his silence on what looks like the end of his illustrious inter-county career.
Speaking exclusively to the Irish Independent, he said it was important to him that Mayo people understood his position.
"I don`t want to be walking down the street later on and having lads coming up to saying `what sort of Mayoman are you when you won`t even play for your county`. It`s the management`s decision that I`m not there and people should know that," he said.
He revealed that he had a phone conversation with O`Mahony some weeks ago during which they agreed to meet up to discuss his situation. However, the meeting didn`t materialise and some time later, he received a text inviting him to a trial game on a Tuesday night.
"I was working in Dublin at the time and couldn`t make it and anyway I thought it very strange that after playing for Mayo for so long the management would want to see me in a trial game. I have always looked after myself and am in good shape and playing decent football with my club so I would have thought the management would make up their minds on that rather than on a trial game where I`d be playing with a lot of lads for the first time."
McDonald was surprised when he started receiving texts last week from people who thought he had retired.
"They had heard that my back was supposed to be bothering me and that I had decided to retire. I don`t know where that came from but it wasn`t true.
"My back is okay because I got it sorted out myself and there was never any question of me walking out on Mayo for as long as they wanted me. There were also stories about how the panel had to be finalised so that the players` grants scheme could be sorted out.
"That had nothing to do with me. I have played for Mayo for 15 years and never claimed a penny expenses. And if I played this year, I couldn`t care less about whether or not I got grant money.
"For me, it was all about playing for Mayo and I still feel that I can play at county level. I`m playing away for my club and would feel quite confident about stepping back with the county panel too."
His 2007 season was ravaged by injury and while he came on as a sub against Galway in the Connacht championship, he couldn`t do himself justice after missing so much action earlier on. However, the back injury has cleared up but it still looks as if his county days are over.
"It`s not my choice. At no stage was there an invite onto the panel. That`s the truth of the matter. I haven`t retired but nobody told me I wasn`t wanted back either and that`s what I find disappointing.
"It`s important to me that the Mayo public know that."
McDonald, who will be 33 this year, made his debut 15 years ago and developed into one of the star acts of Gaelic football.
His blonde hair made him a readily identifiable figure, as did his elegant kicking, his measured style and his capacity to craft scores from the most unlikely angles.
He played in five All-Ireland finals (1996 draw and replay, 1997-2004-2006 ) but ended up on four losing sides. However, he did win an All-Ireland medal with his club, Crossmolina in 2001. He won a Vodafone All Star award in 2004.
©independent.ie
LimerickNomad
(Power User)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 11:27
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Two sides to every story, my friends. McDonald isn`t exactly
the most communicative fella one is likely to meet himself.
beaugosse
(637 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 11:28
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A sad loss to the Championship. Along with Geraghty, he was the only player id go out of my way to see in action. A wonderful footballer- been trying to copy his kicking technique for years!
Gaillimharais
(752 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 11:29
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Good footballer. Bit of a ponse admitelly but on his day one of the most gifted footballers in the country. Not afraid of the physical stuff either.
Galway`s gain anyway.
Seamusin
(1,283 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 11:32
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I presume that there is another side to the story.
I always thought that O`Mahony was good with people, so I would find it strange for him to deal with things in this manner.
If McDonald is gone, then one of the great individuals of the game is gone. I addition to his flamboyance, he was a genuinely tough man.
I still don`t know what to make of him- he often gave the impression of being too individualistic and of favouring the spectacular when the simple thing was the better option. But then Mayo have been an enigma for the last 10 years.
Would Kieran McDonald have fit into the Kerry, Tyrone or Armagh teams in recent years?
twiceasnice97
(9,233 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 11:32
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simple scenario has unfolded here by the look of it.
o mahony doesn`t think he is up to it any more but wanted to have a look at him in a game before he made up his mind.
trial games are beneath ciaran
o mahoney has decided he can take a running jump
mcdonald has hit the ground running with his pr campaign
gain feeds
(1,025 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 11:32
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You`re very harsh on him there Nomad.
He`s a very shy individual.
The abuse that this guy has had to put up with down through the years is unreal. I wouldnt blame him for keeping to himself.
beaugosse
(637 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 11:41
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Originally posted by gain feeds:
You`re very harsh on him there Nomad.
He`s a very shy individual.
The abuse that this guy has had to put up with down through the years is unreal. I wouldnt blame him for keeping to himself.
How typically Irish...just because a fella is a bit talented, individualistic, goodlooking, wears white boots and is a bit flamboyant he gets a hard time.
Its the same with Vaughan and Geraghty. They become hate figures for insecure Irish men with their pasty faces and pot bellies who can couldnt wear anything more risque on a saturday night that a baggy short sleeve checked shirt, horrible pod shoes and beige chords.
Rokocoko
(208 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 11:43
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McDonald might be a shy lad, but it seems like he isnt taking the decision to drop him from the championship panel too well. Getting a media campaign doesn`t do him much good IMO.
On another note, I did hear from a past member of a Galway panel a few years back (who was pretty much at the back of a 30-man panel ) that O`Mahnoy`s people skills were pretty much reserved for those who played. If you were only making up the numbers, then you didn`t seem to be as well revered.
The again, that was only one man`s opinion! Who knows ...
WhiteFlagMan
(131 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 11:49
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Brilliant Player.
Liam Kearns tried to get him to transfer a few years back & play for Limerick, Very nearly happened but in fairness to him stayed with his own.
Limerick would probably have got over the finish line had we had him at 14.
Best of luck to him
Western View
(246 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 11:55
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It has been a joy and privilege to watch him play over the last 15 years. In particular at club level. You rarely hear a bad word said about him the person rather than the footballer. The opposite in fact, a modest man off the field and generous with his time.
To the guy that called him a “ponce”, you most come from fierce hard stock if that’s your opinion.
A text message to turn up at trial game 200 miles away on a Tuesday to a guy that has played 13 years and appeared in 6 All Ireland finals. Nonsense. It’s up there with Stan telling Denis Irwin to earn his place on the Irish team.
There could be a by-election in Mayo before the year is out!
CBJ
(601 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 12:00
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Originally posted by Western View:
A text message to turn up at trial game 200 miles away on a Tuesday to a guy that has played 13 years and appeared in 6 All Ireland finals. Nonsense. It’s up there with Stan telling Denis Irwin to earn his place on the Irish team.
that was the great Mick McCarthy.......
LimerickNomad
(Power User)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 12:06
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Originally posted by gain feeds:
You`re very harsh on him there Nomad.
He`s a very shy individual.
The abuse that this guy has had to put up with down through the years is unreal. I wouldnt blame him for keeping to himself.
Not that shy that it prevented him from running to the media, gf.
I`d be very surprised if O`Mahony played with anything other than a
straight bat on this.
LimerickNomad
(Power User)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 12:08
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Originally posted by Western View:
A text message to turn up at trial game 200 miles away on a Tuesday to a guy that has played 13 years and appeared in 6 All Ireland finals. Nonsense. It’s up there with Stan telling Denis Irwin to earn his place on the Irish team.
And some would then criticise O`Mahony for treating some players
more preferentially than others?
gain feeds
(1,025 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 12:26
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Originally posted by LimerickNomad:
Not that shy that it prevented him from running to the media, gf.
I`d be very surprised if O`Mahony played with anything other than a
straight bat on this.
Why?
Do you have inside knowledge?
Do you have personal experience down through the years of McDonald being less than communicative?
I`d be interested because I found him to be the direct opposite.
Gaillimharais
(752 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 12:30
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Originally posted by Western View:
To the guy that called him a “ponce”, you most come from fierce hard stock if that’s your opinion.
Didn`t mean a ponce as in soft, meant as in his flamboyant manner. The man is as tough as nails.
LimerickNomad
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Posted:
30-Apr-2008 14:45
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Originally posted by gain feeds:
Why?
Do you have inside knowledge?
Do you have personal experience down through the years of McDonald being less than communicative?
I`d be interested because I found him to be the direct opposite.
gf,
I`m only going on what Keith Duggan had to say about McDonald in
his book - impossible to pin down to interview even though he had
promised him a few times.
So, what is your cut on the above, given that you actually know
the lad?
gain feeds
(1,025 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 15:10
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I haven`t a clue whats going on Nomad so I wouldnt care to call it.
I dont claim to know the lad well but I spend a lot of time in North Mayo and anytime I`ve come across him in company he was anything but uncommunicative.
To my knowledge he always avoided the media and never gave interviews.
The real Mayo and Crossmolina supporters know how much he has given to the Mayo cause and you wont find them giving out about him. He has driven the length and breadth of the country to training in Mayo when working away from home.
However it`s the fine day supporters in Mayo who often make his life a misery especially after another Mayo flop. He`s always the fallguy and subjected to some savage abuse.
Maybe it`s to avoid this type of abuse and to let real Mayo supporters know that he hasnt turned his back on them that he has given the interview.
I know one thing though, with his going comes one less reason to watch gaelic football and the reasons to watch it are getting fewer and fewer.
Yup-outta-that
(684 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 15:41
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I was in his company on a couple of occassion and to be honest I would have had the "ponce" label put on him beforehand, but he seemed like a really sound fella, and spent ages talking with different kids that came up to him during the evening.
While we may not be getting the full picture, I think it`s ridiculous that he was asked to attend a trial game after 13 years of good service to Mayo. Definately one of the most stylish and skillful players of his generation and Mayo aren`t exactly overburdened with scoring forwards either.
chewfáile
(698 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 16:03
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Originally posted by Yup-outta-that:
I was in his company on a couple of occassion and to be honest I would have had the "ponce" label put on him beforehand, but he seemed like a really sound fella, and spent ages talking with different kids that came up to him during the evening.
While we may not be getting the full picture, I think it`s ridiculous that he was asked to attend a trial game after 13 years of good service to Mayo. Definately one of the most stylish and skillful players of his generation and Mayo aren`t exactly overburdened with scoring forwards either.
Had great time for the man and not only for some of the hairdos etc. He brought a bit of long overdue rock`n`roll to the GAA without compromising on the sporting side. As good a left peg as there is/was in the modern game and often produced it when it counted e.g. that winning point against the Dubs a few years ago.
But.... maybe it got to the stage for that team that too much was going through McDonald and they needed to vary their channels of attack more. He exacerbated this I often thought, by drop ping too deep for ball, thus leaving fewer forward options for the team. Overall though, he was a smashing footballer and not seeing the likes of him turning out on Summer Sundays will be a loss.
JoNinety
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Posted:
30-Apr-2008 16:08
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The 2nd most skillful player I`ve had the pleasure to see playing.
He also produced the best retort I`ve heard to an opponent trash-talking.
Fermanagh back: Is it true you`re riding the boss`s wife?
McDonald: I`ll be riding you in a minute.
Abruzzi Spur
(1,083 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 16:14
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Originally posted by beaugosse:
How typically Irish...just because a fella is a bit talented, individualistic, goodlooking, wears white boots and is a bit flamboyant he gets a hard time.
Its the same with Vaughan and Geraghty. They become hate figures for insecure Irish men with their pasty faces and pot bellies who can couldnt wear anything more risque on a saturday night that a baggy short sleeve checked shirt, horrible pod shoes and beige chords.
There’s something in that tbh, I remember David Teirney getting dogs abuse during a Galway game I was at a few years ago for having long hair. I’m not joking either.
Up The Hill
(1,387 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 17:41
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Originally posted by Menapian.:
Ciarán McDonald
A great player for Mayo over the years! It is sad to see him go in this manner. There must be a lot of talent coming through in Mayo, that they can do without a player of his talent.
spade caller
(3,554 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 18:21
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Originally posted by Gaillimharais:
Didn`t mean a ponce as in soft, meant as in his flamboyant manner. The man is as tough as nails.
didn`t realise "ponce" meant anything but soft/effeminite and actually in england it`s what we in ireland might call a scab
however.
i fear that the majority of negative comments about mcdonald have come from people who have never met him but have cast doubt on his personality. this is strange. also, i know a few people who will agree with a comment posted above that o`mahoney isn`t so much a good man-manager as a lick a**e to the stronger palyers on his panel. i`m with mcdonald on this one and as a matter of interest, trial games should be for young, up an coming potential players, nort someone who has been a huge player in the last 15 years.
RaginBull
(518 Posts)
Posted:
30-Apr-2008 18:30
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Talked to alot of people who knew him or played with/against him down through the years. People always seemed to be pretty postive about him and I`ve come across him a few times, he used to eat breakfast at the same diner a few years back. Have to say he came across as a down to earth, sound out kinda lad (almost felt sorry for givin him dogs abuse down thru the years : ) )
Top class footballer but took on the impossible a little too often, still thats what made him exciting to watch. I`d like to see him give it one more year and I`m from Galway : )
Regarding O Mahony, he gave one or two of the galway lads the push by text, allegedly : ) Not very classy if true
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