James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
DUBLIN MANAGER JIM Gavin has praised Eoghan O’Gara for his ‘great composure’ when caught up in a Leinster final flashpoint with Meath’s Mickey Burke.
Meath defender Burke appeared to drag O’Gara along the ground during a scuffle though it was later claimed the Royal County player was bitten.
Video footage did show Burke’s hand coming into contact with O’Gara’s mouth area. But after an initial outcry from Meath manager Mick O’Dowd, the issue was quickly dropped.
Sunday Game TV pundits suggested at the time that O’Gara may have been the one who actually showed some restraint and Gavin, speaking for the first time on the issue, appeared to agree.
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“I just thought that Eoghan showed great composure for a big strong man, to maintain his self discipline when he was under stress,” said Gavin. “It’s not really talked about in the Dublin squad. We just moved on to the next game pretty quickly.”
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of tomorrow’s All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Monaghan, Gavin refused to engage in a ward of words with O’Dowd on the issue. O’Dowd had stated he was ‘extremely disappointed’ by the incident.
“The manager has got to do whatever he feels is best for his team,” said Gavin on the claims. “There was great respect going into that game, for the county of Meath and the way they play their football and the GAA community there, and there was great respect after the game for Meath football and for Meath GAA people. That hasn’t changed one bit.
“What a manager does, that’s within his control and we can’t influence that. There’s a great respect and admiration for Meath. We like the way they play their football.”
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Dublin’s discipline has been good all year in terms of avoiding black card sanctions. Their opponents tomorrow, Monaghan, know how costly a black card can be as they profited from Kildare’s ill fortune last weekend when Emmet Bolton was dismissed.
“It is a core value of the team, to maintain their discipline both on and off the field,” said Gavin.
“They are in a privileged position, the management team are in a privileged position to represent their county and with that comes responsibility.
“We don’t always get it right and in a contact sport sometimes mistakes are made but the important thing for me is the players are trying to be the best they can be in that regard.
“Whatever stresses they come under during a game, I think generally speaking they have maintained their composure and self discipline.”
O'Gara praised for 'composure' during incident that lead to Leinster final biting claims
DUBLIN MANAGER JIM Gavin has praised Eoghan O’Gara for his ‘great composure’ when caught up in a Leinster final flashpoint with Meath’s Mickey Burke.
Meath defender Burke appeared to drag O’Gara along the ground during a scuffle though it was later claimed the Royal County player was bitten.
Video footage did show Burke’s hand coming into contact with O’Gara’s mouth area. But after an initial outcry from Meath manager Mick O’Dowd, the issue was quickly dropped.
Sunday Game TV pundits suggested at the time that O’Gara may have been the one who actually showed some restraint and Gavin, speaking for the first time on the issue, appeared to agree.
“I just thought that Eoghan showed great composure for a big strong man, to maintain his self discipline when he was under stress,” said Gavin. “It’s not really talked about in the Dublin squad. We just moved on to the next game pretty quickly.”
Speaking at a press briefing ahead of tomorrow’s All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Monaghan, Gavin refused to engage in a ward of words with O’Dowd on the issue. O’Dowd had stated he was ‘extremely disappointed’ by the incident.
“The manager has got to do whatever he feels is best for his team,” said Gavin on the claims. “There was great respect going into that game, for the county of Meath and the way they play their football and the GAA community there, and there was great respect after the game for Meath football and for Meath GAA people. That hasn’t changed one bit.
“What a manager does, that’s within his control and we can’t influence that. There’s a great respect and admiration for Meath. We like the way they play their football.”
Dublin’s discipline has been good all year in terms of avoiding black card sanctions. Their opponents tomorrow, Monaghan, know how costly a black card can be as they profited from Kildare’s ill fortune last weekend when Emmet Bolton was dismissed.
“It is a core value of the team, to maintain their discipline both on and off the field,” said Gavin.
“They are in a privileged position, the management team are in a privileged position to represent their county and with that comes responsibility.
“We don’t always get it right and in a contact sport sometimes mistakes are made but the important thing for me is the players are trying to be the best they can be in that regard.
“Whatever stresses they come under during a game, I think generally speaking they have maintained their composure and self discipline.”
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Disciplined Eoghan O'Gara GAA Jim Gavin Leinster Final Dublin