QuoteGO Georgie, u tell em !
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
GO Georgie, u tell em !
Glad you started a new thread on this because there aren't enough of them already and this is news to everybody!
Have Boot Disk, will travel
Superb timing too. thanks George.
"Must you tell me all your secrets when it's hard enough to love you knowing nothing."
http://worddok.blogspot.com
what a whinger - anyone have any doubt that it's all about the money for him - how long did it take him to go complaining to the PFAI.
Not a word about good luck to the team in the match though
Foot.ie's entire existence is predicated on the average idiot's inability to ignore other idiots
Just the opportunity those "Lennox\Richardson out" saddoes were waiting for no doubt. If we don't get a result they'll get their first chance since the Portadown Setanta match last year to prove their love for Dolan by throwing chips at Lennox. Even more reason than normal to hope for a victory tonight, let George know there's plenty life without him. He can then come back and apologise like he had to do with his advisor (when he was manager) in the past, and then proceed to play the best football of his time with City like he also did the last time.
They say what about the meek?
I say they’ve got a bloody cheek
So how long has George got to run on his contract and whats the story there? If he's looking for an improved contract surely they can work it out without washing their dirty linen in public.
Regardless of who's behaving like an arse, I think Cork would be better having him in the team for tonight for a number of reasons. (a) I assume they are paying him, (b) playing your best 11 gives you the best chance to win, (c) even if George is having a whinge and wants more money or to leave then the best place for him to be is either on the pitch proving his worth to either his current club or anyone who's window shopping.
Of course it's too much to hope this is an elaborate ruse to make the Cypriots think they're playing a team in disarray and George and Rico are currently laughing it up in the Cork City war room?
Thought that was the most interesting bit tbhOriginally Posted by bigmac
Not a word about good luck to the team in the match though
54,321 sold - wws will never die - ***
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Georges solicitor is Cathal "amazing improvement in short space of time" Lombard.
Interesting partnership. Drink and drugs don't mix
He's brilliant isnt he...another great character of the EL
Ever get the feelin' you have been cheated?
sounds like a loser to me. He will never play for shels thats for sure
You can't fecking afford him. I'd love him at pats
54,321 sold - wws will never die - ***
---
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That didn't stop you from signing Kearney.
He said he'd never "play" for shels and he certainly stuck to his word!
Have Boot Disk, will travel
So true Peadar!!!That didn't stop you from signing Kearney.
He said he'd never "play" for shels and he certainly stuck to his word!
Thought Dodge and Bigmac's comments about the bit missing from George's statement are on the button...
Mick D. for Ireland!
He should've been on to them as soon as disciplinary action was talked about if he had any sense ffs.
Interesting timing and interesting about no mention of wishing the team luck, as has been said. And the Cork hardcore singing his name on Saturday too....
If you attack me with stupidity, I'll be forced to defend myself with sarcasm.
2 or 3 people, Macy. Although it probably sounded a lot louder over the silence from the home support.
Have Boot Disk, will travel
2 or 3? More like one person and a megaphone for the vast majority of the what singing was coming from the away fans...
If you attack me with stupidity, I'll be forced to defend myself with sarcasm.
Yes, that's exactly what happened!
Plenty cheers for Rico at fulltime, especially when he came over to applaude the travelling support but you probably left 10 minutes early like the rest of your lot and missed that.
Have Boot Disk, will travel
Stayed to the end, but didn't notice any great reception to Rico as I walked over from the far side.
If you attack me with stupidity, I'll be forced to defend myself with sarcasm.
Sounds like you failed to notice a lot of things and incorrectly noticed other things. Hardly a credible witness.
Have Boot Disk, will travel
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