CEO JOHN COSTELLO has insisted that allegations made about the county board’s commitment to hurling by former Dublin player Michael Carton “are totally wide of the mark.”
In a hard-hitting recent interview, Carton claimed that county board chiefs have a “huge part” to play in terms of sorting out an alleged “toxic atmosphere” in the Dublin senior hurling camp.
Carton, who quit the Dublin set-up in 2015, went public on Newstalk’s Off The Ball with his criticisms of current manager Ger Cunningham.
He said last month: “I think the county board have a huge part to play in this.
“I think it’s unheard of the number of players who have left the panel in inter-county hurling, there have to be questions asked.
“The county board are happy enough for the Dublin footballers to be winning All-Irelands and for Dublin to survive in the hurling in Division 1.
“If that’s the sum ambition in Dublin hurling now there’s something seriously wrong after what we’ve brought it to over the last 10 years.”
But writing in his annual report to Dublin county board convention, Costello has responded to Carton’s interview.
In a section relating to hurling, Costello says: “In conclusion, could I briefly address some allegations that were made about the county board and their aspirations with regard to hurling in the county by a former senior hurler.
It has never been Dublin’s way to air any perceived ‘dirty linen’ in public so I have no intention of doing so here.
“However, the allegations that were made are totally wide of the mark and those entrusted with the control of Gaelic games in the capital do so with a fair and impartial manner, in terms of both the hurling and football codes.”
