IT HAS BEEN A WEEK to forget for Offaly GAA.

And just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, a new row has erupted, following comments made by ex-player and All-Ireland winner Michael Duignan.

Senior football team manager Tom Cribbin has reacted angrily to Duignan’s claims that the county’s top footballers drink excessively and lack the discipline and pride it takes to succeed at the top level.

Cribbin says the claims are “not true” and that the Duignan had no right to make them, as they had nothing to do with the main argument regarding the hurling team’s problems with training facilities.

Speaking in an RTÉ radio interview, Duignan said: “There are discipline issues with the footballers in this county. They don’t want to train, they have no pride in their jersey, they’re going on the beer and all that sort of thing.”

Offaly footballers have endured a torrid season thus far, having been comprehensively beaten by Wexford in the Leinster Championship.

In addition, Ger Oakley, another ex-player, has said that the welfare of Offaly players has been a constant issue for “the last six or seven years”.

He added: “Whatever the financial circumstances with a county board, it can’t be used as an excuse not to look after players.”

Meanwhile, the Offaly County Board met on Tuesday and agreed to postpone any announcements until after the championship has ended. This argument doesn’t appear to be ending anytime soon.