Paddy Garcia
12/07/2006, 7:06 AM
CORK CITY’s preparations for tonight’s Champions League qualifier against Limassol of Cyprus have been rocked by a public spat between manager Damien Richardson and star midfielder George O’Callaghan.
The player of the year issued a dramatic statement to the Irish Examiner last night in a bid to clarify the issues behind his mysterious absence from recent City games, including tonight’s Champions League clash.
In the statement released by his lawyer Cathal Lombard, O’Callaghan reveals his dismay at the tone of a meeting with Richardson and his subsequent inability to secure a meeting with the manager or the chairman, Brian Lennox, to resolve the stand off “in a non-confrontational way”.
O’Callaghan claims that he has sought a meeting with Damien Richardson to seek an explanation on recent comments by the manager in the media regarding the player. O’Callaghan is adamant that the statement is an accurate reflection of what transpired between himself and Richardson last Tuesday, July 4.
It states: “George confronted the manager privately to express his disappointment and disgust at this. Further, he challenged the manager’s entitlement to fine or dock him two weeks’ wages either in the manner in which he had done so or at all. George had been advised by the PFA of Ireland that neither the manager nor the club had the right to impose such a fine in such manner.”
The statement then alleges that O’Callaghan was then told by Richardson: “You know where the gate is”.
It continues: “Later that afternoon, George approached the club chairman (Brian Lennox) to express his concern. He met the chairman for one hour or thereabouts, insisting he did not want that kind of drama and he wanted only to play football. He also told the chairman that he wanted this issue sorted privately without it going to the media.
“The club chairman agreed, said he would speak to the manager and told George he would call him in the morning (Wednesday). No such call was made to George O’Callaghan and indeed no such call or any call has been made to George O’Callaghan since then either by the club chairman or the club manager.”
The statement claims that Richardson has told several journalists that George has “personal problems”, that George “was going through a difficult time”, that George “was given time off for personal reasons”, that George was told to “take a break and get his head right”, that George was ordered to “take a break and get himself refreshed mentally” — “none of which has any valid basis.”
It adds: “The fact is that since last Tuesday (July 4), George has continued his strict training regime in the hope and prospect that he would be contacted and would be able to play for the club in its most prestigious game so far.”
The solicitor’s statement also claims that many attempts have been made throughout Monday and yesterday by, and on George’s behalf, to organise a meeting with the club chairman in an effort to resolve these difficulties in a non-confrontational way. “None of these attempts have been facilitated.
“For the record, neither the manager or the club chairman has contacted George O’Callaghan and, despite the allegation by the club manager that there was no communication or contact between George and himself over the weekend or yesterday it seems strange that Mr Richardson would not be aware of the many telephone conversations which took place yesterday afternoon, yesterday evening and this afternoon between George’s solicitor Cathal Lombard, and variously, a director of Cork City Football Club, the chairman of Cork City Football Club and that club’s solicitor.
“Ultimately, when all attempts to secure a meeting had by 4.30pm yesterday afternoon failed it was decided to issue this formal statement to the Irish Examiner.” It also says: “For the record, George O’Callaghan, the club’s finest performer and player in recent years, is completely gutted that despite his loyal service to the club he has been side-lined particularly in this manner by the club’s management and particularly so in advance of a game which would have been the highlight of his career to date and a showcase for him in his international career into the future.
“Not alone that, George is gutted because of the disappointment to the loyal fans who have supported him throughout that time.”
His legal team, headed up by Eugene Carey and Co., Mallow, said that O’Callaghan will not be making any further statement for the moment.
“He must now take whatever steps are necessary to protect his reputation and character, personally and professionally both in the national arena and internationally.
“We, George’s legal team, are intent that every conceivable protection necessary will be sought and procured for this valuable player.”
Irish Examiner 12th July
The player of the year issued a dramatic statement to the Irish Examiner last night in a bid to clarify the issues behind his mysterious absence from recent City games, including tonight’s Champions League clash.
In the statement released by his lawyer Cathal Lombard, O’Callaghan reveals his dismay at the tone of a meeting with Richardson and his subsequent inability to secure a meeting with the manager or the chairman, Brian Lennox, to resolve the stand off “in a non-confrontational way”.
O’Callaghan claims that he has sought a meeting with Damien Richardson to seek an explanation on recent comments by the manager in the media regarding the player. O’Callaghan is adamant that the statement is an accurate reflection of what transpired between himself and Richardson last Tuesday, July 4.
It states: “George confronted the manager privately to express his disappointment and disgust at this. Further, he challenged the manager’s entitlement to fine or dock him two weeks’ wages either in the manner in which he had done so or at all. George had been advised by the PFA of Ireland that neither the manager nor the club had the right to impose such a fine in such manner.”
The statement then alleges that O’Callaghan was then told by Richardson: “You know where the gate is”.
It continues: “Later that afternoon, George approached the club chairman (Brian Lennox) to express his concern. He met the chairman for one hour or thereabouts, insisting he did not want that kind of drama and he wanted only to play football. He also told the chairman that he wanted this issue sorted privately without it going to the media.
“The club chairman agreed, said he would speak to the manager and told George he would call him in the morning (Wednesday). No such call was made to George O’Callaghan and indeed no such call or any call has been made to George O’Callaghan since then either by the club chairman or the club manager.”
The statement claims that Richardson has told several journalists that George has “personal problems”, that George “was going through a difficult time”, that George “was given time off for personal reasons”, that George was told to “take a break and get his head right”, that George was ordered to “take a break and get himself refreshed mentally” — “none of which has any valid basis.”
It adds: “The fact is that since last Tuesday (July 4), George has continued his strict training regime in the hope and prospect that he would be contacted and would be able to play for the club in its most prestigious game so far.”
The solicitor’s statement also claims that many attempts have been made throughout Monday and yesterday by, and on George’s behalf, to organise a meeting with the club chairman in an effort to resolve these difficulties in a non-confrontational way. “None of these attempts have been facilitated.
“For the record, neither the manager or the club chairman has contacted George O’Callaghan and, despite the allegation by the club manager that there was no communication or contact between George and himself over the weekend or yesterday it seems strange that Mr Richardson would not be aware of the many telephone conversations which took place yesterday afternoon, yesterday evening and this afternoon between George’s solicitor Cathal Lombard, and variously, a director of Cork City Football Club, the chairman of Cork City Football Club and that club’s solicitor.
“Ultimately, when all attempts to secure a meeting had by 4.30pm yesterday afternoon failed it was decided to issue this formal statement to the Irish Examiner.” It also says: “For the record, George O’Callaghan, the club’s finest performer and player in recent years, is completely gutted that despite his loyal service to the club he has been side-lined particularly in this manner by the club’s management and particularly so in advance of a game which would have been the highlight of his career to date and a showcase for him in his international career into the future.
“Not alone that, George is gutted because of the disappointment to the loyal fans who have supported him throughout that time.”
His legal team, headed up by Eugene Carey and Co., Mallow, said that O’Callaghan will not be making any further statement for the moment.
“He must now take whatever steps are necessary to protect his reputation and character, personally and professionally both in the national arena and internationally.
“We, George’s legal team, are intent that every conceivable protection necessary will be sought and procured for this valuable player.”
Irish Examiner 12th July