OFFALY HURLING MANAGER Eamonn Kelly has hit back at the “cowards” that aimed abuse at him and his squad after their Leinster SHC round-robin defeat to Westmeath just over a week ago.
The Faithful County fell to a shock 2-22 to 1-11 loss, sparking outrage among some Offaly supporters.
Kelly’s side responded with a 1-17 to 2-11 victory against Carlow in their second game on Saturday and the Offaly boss has since spoken out against the negative reactions he has had to deal with in the county.
“I don’t ever want to get a week like it again where you have cowards ringing you on private numbers and telling you what they think of you,” Kelly told Midlands 103.
“The stuff I got thrown at me on social media, I know that goes with the terrain, but we’re trying to do everything we can and the players inside are doing everything in their power.”
Kelly also revealed that three panel members have left the setup over the public perceptions and insisted that he is doing everything in his power to turn the tables for senior hurling in the county.
A victory in their third and final round-robin game in on 22 May at Tullamore’s O’Connor Park would ensure Kelly’s side advance to the Leinster SHC proper and he is calling on Offaly’s supporters to get behind the team ahead of that vital clash.
“We had three lads walk from the panel with a comment that they don’t like where there this thing is going and they don’t want to be associated with it. But what you have left in the dressing room there are very honest fellas and they’re very, very working hard.
“We’re all trying to do the right thing. There’s nobody in there cutting any corners, they’re making a huge effort.
“We had a bad day at the office against Westmeath last weekend – we know that – but the only good thing is that Westmeath have beaten Kerry today so our destiny in our hands in two weeks’ time.”
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