I made choice and I know the demands. If you don’t want to be there or it’s too much, then go JOHN HAPPY TO COMMIT TO COUNTY CAUSE
TIPPERARY star John Mcgrath has distanced himself from Kieran Bergin’s attack on the team management and insisted he has no problems with the set-up.
Bergin, an All-ireland winning colleague of Mcgrath’s in 2016, claimed he was ‘treated like a complete child’ at times by management with regard to his socialising.
The 31-year-old was reduced to the role of impact sub during the 2016 season and quit last April due to a lack of game time.
The Killenaule man (below) said he couldn’t understand why drink bans were imposed and revealed he had no issue with downing ‘three cans of Heineken’ the night before training, if he felt like it.
Worryingly, Bergin said he wouldn’t choose hurling if he was 18 again – similar to ex-meath footballer Joe Sheridan’s claim this week that county players are ‘nearly detesting’ the game now due to the commitment required.
But Tipp attacker Mcgrath said: “Personally, I’ve no issue with it. Kieran has a wife and he has a job and that to hold down as well. I’m not sure of his full circumstances that way, or how under pressure he is, but from a personal point of view I’ve no issue with it.
“I made that choice myself and I know what’s entailed in it. If I don’t want to be there, I don’t have to be. I’m delighted to be involved again and for as long as I can I’ll keep going.”
Bergin was critical of GAA drink bans when he has seen professional rugby players ‘out until four and five o’clock in the morning .... drinking and smoking’ just days before games.
Former All-star Mcgrath (inset) said: “You do hear of some panels where that goes on, where they are just completely told ‘no (drink)’, I think that’s wrong too. We will get our few nights out here and there, depending on how training is fixed. Lads had most of Christmas to enjoy themselves. I was away on holidays once or twice myself, if you plan it well it’s fine.
“I’m hoping to be involved until next August with Tipp, so between last September and now I’ve done what I want to do.
“I’m happy now that going into the next few months I might miss out on a few small things but if we are successful next August it won’t matter.” Mcgrath agreed with one point made by Bergin – that inter-county activity can place a financial strain on players.
Bergin said some students on the Tipperary panel ‘had to borrow money to go out for a few drinks’.
UL student Mcgrath said: “Last January I started placement from college and I actually got paid for eight months. That was a big help. But I can see how for some players it could be an issue. I’m lucky that both of my parents are working and are happy to help me out.”
If I was 18 again I wouldn’t have chosen hurling. The commitment asked..give up drink for entire years.. - KIERAN BERGIN (Tipp)
Lads are nearly detesting playing county football. You are taking a lot of time out of your own life..
- JOE SHERIDAN (Meath)