TIPPERARY COUNTY BOARD secretary Tim Floyd has suggested that the door remains open to Cathal Barrett for a possible return to the county’s senior hurling panel.
All-Star Barrett, 23, has been dropped by team manager Michael Ryan for disciplinary reasons.
The corner back now faces an uncertain inter-county future but Floyd says that the matter may not be a “fait accompli.”
Speaking to Tipp FM today, Floyd said: “These kinds of things make headlines, unfortunately, but still, it’s a matter between the county (team) management and Cathal Barrett.
“They set down the standards and they expect all of the players to follow the guidelines.
“It’s unfortunate in this case that Cathal was out injured and he let his guard down.
“But I presume they’ve left the door open to him, that’s it’s not a fait accompli.
“It’s like the child being put sitting in the corner for a while.”
Barrett would have been ruled out of Tipperary’s first All-Ireland SHC qualifier on 1 July in any event, having sustained a knee injury during the recent Munster quarter-final loss to Cork at Semple Stadium.
It was initially feared that Barrett had sustained cruciate knee ligament damage but it later emerged that he had damaged medial ligaments, with a 6-8 week recovery period envisaged.
Ryan still decided to cut him loose, however, sending out a clear message to other panel members that indiscipline will not be tolerated.
Floyd added: “All of these things are blown out of proportion in a lot of ways.
“At the end of the day, it’s a matter between management and Cathal Barrett – it’s up to them to sort it between them.”
Despite this unwanted upheaval, Floyd insists that Tipp’s sights are firmly set on retaining their All-Ireland crown through the back door.
He said: “You have to respect management, we put the management in place, they delivered last year in an All-Ireland (final) and their target is to do similar this year.
“They set out the platform as to how they intend to achieve that. They’re constantly meeting with the players and spelling it out to them, the standards which they require.
“They had a meeting with the players at training last night (Tuesday) and they’re meeting again this weekend. It’s a constant review to make sure everybody is conforming.”
Floyd added that he doesn’t expect Barrett’s axing to derail the remainder of Tipp’s summer campaign – and that the situation won’t affect morale in the camp.
He said: “I don’t think so, there’s a great unit of players there. And I’m in the dressing room before and after all matches. They’re on a mission to win another All-Ireland and there’s nothing going to knock them off that.
“There’s a pool of players there, 35 on the panel and Cathal is just one of those.
“There’s still 34 more players in there on a mission and their target is to win another All-Ireland.”
But Floyd accepted that Barrett will be a loss to Tipperary in the full-back line, considering that left corner backs Donagh Maher and Michael Cahill both missed the Cork match with hamstring injuries.
He said: “Definitely, we’re not rich on corner backs at the moment.
“It’s a big decision for management to take but you can’t set anyone apart, everyone is treated the same in there and players know that. There’s no comfort zone for anybody.
“Mick Ryan, as manager, sets very high standards and he enforces the discipline exactly as he sees it.”
County board chairman Michael Bourke, an Upperchurch-Drombane clubmate of Ryan’s, told Tipp FM on Tuesday evening: “I had consultation with the senior hurling manager, who informed me that Cathal Barrett will be dropped off the senior hurling panel with immediate effect for disciplinary reasons.
“He (Ryan) still has the full backing of the county board and county board executive, and the officers. He has a job to do and that’s it. We trust him fully.”
RIP niall,brilliant young hurler gone too soon
Awful news… RIP.
Sad sad news… Rest in peace
I never seen a player like Henry sheflin getting so well marked like Niall did in 2012. So sad Rip.
That is awful news. My prayers go out to him and his family.
Something so wrong about a person that young dying. Thoughts go out to his family at this the most horrible time in their lives.
Shocking sad news put everything in to second place. No answer to news like this RIP
Does it matter how this young man lost his life? He is gone. It is a huge loss to his family. God bless them in this darkest of times. Press the red thumb if you like. I for one couldn’t care less. I’m sure what is written here whether narrow minded or supportive, will not dent that family’s grief by one iota. So sad to hear of this.
I agree it doesn’t matter how he died. If it was suicide, if his death helps one person seek help. If it’s from a heart condition or due to S.A.D.S is there enough tests being done?? Either way it’s a young life gone way to early. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. R.I.P
Of course it matter how he die, you can’t just sweep this national tragity under the carpet and bury your head in the sand. There is a problem here that needs to be addressed. You can’t go through life saying “I don’t care less”. Well you can, I guess, but you shouldn’t.
“I couldn’t care less” was aimed at those pressing the red thumb for people airing their condolences not about how this fine young man died. I apologise for not clarifying this. Either way, still a sad loss. God bless his family.
What a great hurler .its sickening to hear this news .to his family and friends and the club and county teams my condolences.a great Galway man and a great talent .rip
Too young… May he continue to have a good time wherever he may be now.
He will be a huge loss to Galway hurling. R.I.P Niall.
R.I.P.
RIP Niall
Such sad news so tragic, all becoming so common now a days tho unfortunately, thoughts and prayers with his family friends and team mates RIP
Why does anyone down vote condolences I don’t understand. Wonderful player
Jimmy those people can’t read they only know how to press red thumb down
With a username like Jimmy Saville you’re in no position to be judging people
I remember being at Croke park with my Father watching Gaillimh get hammered by the Kilkenny back in 2012. He was playing. Such a beautiful young son of Éireann. May he rest in peace.
Very sad R.I.P.
So sad. So young. What happened to him? Praying for the family.
Ah dear that is so sad, I hope his family and friends find some strength.
@dave, nothing in article suggests suicide or any other cause such as sudden adult death syndrome.
A journalist from the Examiner mentioned that it was suicide on twitter last night and The Samaritans are tweeting that they are there if anyone needs to talk in a tweet that mentions him. RIP.
Seemingly by his own hand sadly RIP
Too many fit young men passing like this , it so wrong and so sad May he R.I.P
Tragic…..poor family….and yet according to the Taoiseach we dont have a rising problem in Ireland……its happening way too often & sonething needs to be done to get support & help groups set up country wide. Thoughts are with this young man & his family. RIP.
To think some lowlife gave me a thumbs down for that comment is a disgrace,god love them and their narrow mind,or do they have one.
RIP and god help his poor family.
What is happening with young sportsmen dying so young. I would have thought it was auld fellas like me who get little exercise that would be the first to go, not young men in their twenties.
He gave some exhibition in the Leinster hurling final 2012. God bless him, his family and friends from a Galway hurling family in Australia.
How can any1 thumbs down comments?? Goes to show how pathetic some people are!!! Tragic loss of a young man gone way too soon, R.I.P
Yes Ann Marie they are pathetic sad people in here. They have no life other than to criticise and make stupid comments. This young mans family need respect for the terrible tragedy. RIP
Omg! Shocking! Struggling to believe this. Rip.
Have none of you lot ever heard of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome? . . . . Maybe this was how he died, hate people jumping to the conclusion that it was suicide or drugs just because he was otherwise young and healthy.
No one mentioned drugs or suicide. R i p
There was previous comments that gave thankfully been removed. Not useful to speculate in this situation as it’s not going to change anything
It may not but brushing it under the carpet is not the answer. Suicide is a scourge across communities all over Ireland. People need to be talking about finding solutions and getting people the help they need.
Yes but not when we haven’t any facts either way in this case.Why potientially pile more pain onto his family. Let’s just wait and see first .
There was no jumping to conclusions, that is what occurred. Why the Irish media refuse to use the word suicide is beyond me. It could possibly help others.
Facts or no facts a young man is dead. Nor should there be any wait and see .Please show respect for his grieving and very loving family. Rest in peace young star of the hurling field. Prayers for you and all whom you loved.
Not trying to speculate but it seems a growing number of athletes around the world are dying through undiscovered heart problems or sever dehydration/electrolyte imbalance. Wonder if there is constructive action that can be taken to minimise these problems.
RIP,far too many have gone too early .
RIP & tkx for the hurling skills you shared with us Niall.
A very talented and athletic player, God obviously needed a brilliant wing back for his team, Rest In Peace Niall
RIP : Sad news : condolences to his Family.
Rip will be really missed
So Young, May he RIP.
I can’t get my head around this. .
So sad. My condolences go out to his friends and family.
Was and would have been a marvellous hurler – some of the saddest news this year r.i.p.
Very sad… Rip
R.I.P. so sad.
Unbelievably tragedy.
RIP
RIP Niall and condolences to his family, friends, teammates and Galway GAA from a Mayo man. Tragic deaths like this certainly put loosing All Irelands into perspective.
Tragic. R.I.P. deepest sympathy to his family and friends x
very sad so much to live for and we will never understand why
R.I.P. Niall Donoghue – Kilkenny supporter
RIP young man.
Gone too soon…. Thoughts and prayers go to his family,friends and clubmates. Heaven has gained another angel xx
RIP Niall
News now saying found dead in tragic circumstances
So very very Sad R.I.P
RIP very sad news
Terribly sad news. RIP and condolences to his family.
More and more of these sad cases popping up. Are athletes these days being put through too much physical training? Is there too much of an emphasis on being ultra fit?
Such a tragedy. Our thoughts are with his family & friends.
Rest in Peace Niall
So so sad! RIP.
That is just so wrong. Poor guy. May he rest in peace
Very sad news ,may he rest in peace.My thoughts and prayers with his Family at this sad time .
So sad. He was taken too soon. May he Rest In Peace
Go ndéana Dia trocaire air. Cailliúint mhór eile.
Why! Why! Why! So very very sad. May he now be at peace
Rest in peace champ, be sorely missed!!
Niall May you rest in peace such a sad sad loss
Very sad for all friends. The best, die soon.
God bless you niall rip