KERRY CAPTAIN KIERAN Donaghy has been reflecting on the alleged eye gouging incident involving Dublin’s Philly McMahon in last month’s All-Ireland senior football final.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Donaghy downplayed the flashpoint but he went into a little bit more detail when asked about it on Radio Kerry’s Terrace Talk show on Monday evening.
“I was fighting for my life for the ball,” said Donaghy.
“Paul Galvin came onto a breaking ball and he put in a fabulous ball with the outside of his left boot.
“It was set up for me to go get it, I got it and landed and two or three Dubs were sowing it into me.
“I remember getting the ball and the ref blowing the whistle and giving a hop ball.
“My point to him (referee David Coldrick) was more why a hop ball?
“It was either a free in, I won it and there were three pulling me, or else it’s a free out for overcarrying.
“What’s the hop ball for? He didn’t have an answer for me.
“He threw it up, we went on from there and nearly got a break off it but unfortunately it didn’t work out, it was just that kind of day for us, the harder we tried, the worse it got.”
When asked if he was lucky to escape serious eye damage, Donaghy insisted: “It was nothing close to serious eye damage.
“An incident like that could be serious if it happened to somebody at a different time but for me on that day it was nothing that I was ever going to be long term serious out of.
“It’s obviously something you’d like to stay away from in the game. I don’t think he (McMahon) meant it, he’s the only one that knows.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“He was going for the ball, like he said, I was going for the ball to the best of my abilities to try and get it. A hop ball was the answer.”
Donaghy, who recently admitted that he’s unsure about his intercounty future, reiterated that stance on Monday.
“We’ll see, I have to weigh a few things up first.
“I’m starting a new job, PST Sports with Colin Teehan, doing artificial pitches around the country.
“I’ll be doing a bit of travelling and there’s stuff to weigh up.
“I’ll take to Eamonn (Fitzmaurice) and my wife. We’re jut after having a baby girl, she’s five months, and Lola Rose is the centre of attention.
“Everything is revolving around her little world now and it’s been very enjoyable, we’re loving it so far.
“A lot of things to take into consideration…the body is getting that bit older and it’s taken a few knocks over the year.
“We’ll just wait and see. I’m not putting any time frame on it. Whatever decision I make, I want to make sure it’s the right one for everybody involved.”
'I don't think he meant it, he's the only one that knows' - Donaghy on alleged eye gouge
KERRY CAPTAIN KIERAN Donaghy has been reflecting on the alleged eye gouging incident involving Dublin’s Philly McMahon in last month’s All-Ireland senior football final.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Donaghy downplayed the flashpoint but he went into a little bit more detail when asked about it on Radio Kerry’s Terrace Talk show on Monday evening.
“I was fighting for my life for the ball,” said Donaghy.
“Paul Galvin came onto a breaking ball and he put in a fabulous ball with the outside of his left boot.
“It was set up for me to go get it, I got it and landed and two or three Dubs were sowing it into me.
“I was trying to fight for my life for the ball.
“I remember getting the ball and the ref blowing the whistle and giving a hop ball.
“My point to him (referee David Coldrick) was more why a hop ball?
“What’s the hop ball for? He didn’t have an answer for me.
When asked if he was lucky to escape serious eye damage, Donaghy insisted: “It was nothing close to serious eye damage.
“An incident like that could be serious if it happened to somebody at a different time but for me on that day it was nothing that I was ever going to be long term serious out of.
“It’s obviously something you’d like to stay away from in the game. I don’t think he (McMahon) meant it, he’s the only one that knows.
“He was going for the ball, like he said, I was going for the ball to the best of my abilities to try and get it. A hop ball was the answer.”
Donaghy, who recently admitted that he’s unsure about his intercounty future, reiterated that stance on Monday.
“We’ll see, I have to weigh a few things up first.
“I’m starting a new job, PST Sports with Colin Teehan, doing artificial pitches around the country.
“I’ll be doing a bit of travelling and there’s stuff to weigh up.
“Everything is revolving around her little world now and it’s been very enjoyable, we’re loving it so far.
“A lot of things to take into consideration…the body is getting that bit older and it’s taken a few knocks over the year.
“We’ll just wait and see. I’m not putting any time frame on it. Whatever decision I make, I want to make sure it’s the right one for everybody involved.”
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GAA Gaelic Football Kieran Donaghy Philly McMahon Star Dublin Kerry