‘So much integrity' – RTE viewers hail Stephen Cluxton for ‘principled stand' Dublin GAA icon took during Parnells saga
RTE viewers praised Stephen Cluxton after watching the financial ruin of Parnells GAA Club detailed on Prime Time.
Established in 1893, the six-time county champions went into liquidation in January.
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The Coolock club went into liquidation in January
Credit: @RTE_PrimeTime
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Cluxton was their most famous player
That such a big club could go under is all the more amazing given it became the richest GAA club in the country in 2008.
This was due to it selling land it had first acquired around Collinstown Lane near
The club received €22million upon selling that land. Half of that sum was soon spent on purchasing land in their main catchment area of Coolock from the Marist Fathers.
The rest was duly wasted as the club embarked upon reckless spending practices while building a state of the art clubhouse and other facilities.
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In one stark moment during Tuesday's programme it's stated that Parnells went from employing two members of staff in 2007 to 69 by 2013.
These habits ended up burdening the outfit with huge overheads as chickens came home to roost in the following years.
The moment involving
It informed viewers that the goalkeeper wrote an open letter to all members of the club's Executive.
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In it, he outlined his "disgust" at the direction the club was going in. This prompted his "highly unusual" decision to regrade with their second team.
In the letter, the 43-year-old is quoted as saying: "I don't agree with the policy of head-hunting players.
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"I don't agree that inter-county players are treated to various perks. I am disgusted the club is now in debt."
Among the online reaction to the startling show, prominent GAA journalist Cahair O'Kane praised: "Stephen Cluxton will be remembered for everything he's achieved on the pitch.
"But part of his legacy of greatness ought to be the principled stand he took about the financial direction Parnells were taking. Fair play to him."
Similarly, Conor succinctly agreed: "So much integrity. Great fella."
LEADER ON AND OFF THE PITCH
Máire pondered: "Prime Time about Parnells is crazy to me! How was a club allowed to go that far without any intervention.
"The 'disquiet' should have been LOUDER, at least Stephen Cluxton showed a bit of integrity."
Fin added: "Anyone watch the Prime Time programme on Parnell's GAA Club? Boom to Bust. Absolutely shocking.
"Non Dublin fans might not like Clucko but his letter to the club in the midst of this fiasco, expressing his fears and thoughts, showed the character of the man - top class."
To which Liz replied: "Most GAA people respect and admire Stephen Cluxton. He's a terrific player and a great captain.
"He knew that Parnells were on the wrong track and expressed concerns but the club Executive ignored him. It became a social club. Shame on the Executive."
In January, the north Dublin outfit returned their training ground complete with a floodlit astroturf, clubhouse and gym to the Marist Order.
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Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Stephen Cluxton shows his class after what could be his last game for Dublin
Fans hailed Stephen Cluxton for the class he showed following Dublin's All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-final loss to Tyrone. The Dubs exited the Championship at the same stage as they did 12 months ago, with Dessie Farrell stepping down as manager immediately after Saturday's game. Speaking shortly after the full-time whistle, Farrell said: "I would have informed the county board at the start of this season that regardless of what happened, this was going to be my last season. "The players were aware of that and I just informed them inside there to confirm it. "It's been a privilege. As a player and as a coach, I've been involved with Dublin for the guts of 40 years. So it's been a long, long time. "It's been very much part and parcel of my life. I've met some many amazing people along the way, all the backroom teams, all the coaching of the underage teams, minor teams, U21 teams, and the senior teams for the last couple of years. I've met some special people. "I've had a ringside seat in many ways to some of the greatest warriors that ever played the sport. I've been involved with some of them from under 13 right the way through to today. I've seen them grow from young boys to young men to older men. "That's a journey I'm so grateful for. I'm delighted to be involved for as long as I have. We've had some good days and bad days, but that's all a part of professional sport. "Some special memories, and some special bonds and relationships." As well as Saturday being Farrell's last game as manager, it might also have been Cluxton's final match in a Dublin jersey. The 43-year-old made a shock return to the Dublin panel in 2023, having not played for them since 2020, but many believe he may now decide to step away from inter-county football for good. The nine-time All-Ireland winner was commended for the way in which he congratulated a number of Tyrone players following Dublin's defeat to the Red Hands. One person wrote: "He is one classy individual and a fantastic role model for any young player." Another commented: "Well done Stephen,a gentleman how he respects the other team." Someone else said: "The young lads that play the game now could learn a lot from this man , the respect he's always had throughout his career of GAA footballers." "Fair play to him, it's not all about football, being nice costs nothing, well done Stephen," read another comment.
Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Extra.ie
How the sad story of Parnells offers many lessons to the GAA
Even the dogs on the streets knew. There was a time just over a decade ago when I couldn't pop down to my local in Phibsborough without being told about the latest inter-county superstar rumoured to be relocating to Coolock. Names like Aidan O'Shea and Michael Murphy were mentioned—and scoffed at. But Parnells were behaving like the drunk and generous uncle at a wedding who insists on getting a round of Midleton Rare in, and everyone knew about it. At least, around the northside, they did. It's just as well there was nothing in those more outlandish rumours about O'Shea and Murphy, given that one of the many revelations of RTÉ's Prime Time investigation last Tuesday was that the club were paying their outside players mileage for travelling to training in their own county. Aidan O'Shea of Mayo in action against Jason Foley of Kerry. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile It is difficult to understand how that was agreed but perhaps spending had spiralled so far out of control that it made as much sense as whatever else was gobbling up the €22million windfall they received for selling land near Dublin Airport in 2008. Niamh Brennan, a Professor of Corporate Governance at UCD, told RTÉ that the downfall of Parnells, who were liquidated earlier this year after 132 years in existence, was the classic case of 'living beyond its means', an interesting phrase to use as one of the club's most famous members was a certain Charles J Haughey, who played for the club in the 1940s. The country was in the teeth of a nasty recession in the early 2010s, trying to adjust to a global economic crash, but Parnells seemed to be oblivious, going about their business in an alternative reality where the Celtic Tiger never stopped roaring. Pic: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE The club had been an integral part of the community around Coolock and Artane for 115 years by the time of its lottery win with that plot of land in Collinstown Lane. But over the course of the next few years, it moved away from its roots. County footballers from Armagh, Laois, Mayo and Wexford moved into the area, employed as coaches or fitness instructors, as they looked to win their first Dublin senior title since 1988. When they played Ballymun Kickhams in a championship game in 2012, 10 of their starting players were outsiders who had blown into the club. 'It was very unsettling for the players who were representing us on the field of play up to then because they were playing for their enjoyment,' recalled long-standing club member Liam Quinn. 'All of a sudden, they were being pushed aside to make way for these players who were supposed to be making us champions again and that didn't happen, so there was a bit of animosity.' Former chairman John Byrne, who won a county medal in 1988, was even more blunt. 'I feel when Parnells got the money, people migrated to the area that normally wouldn't have come into the area,' he told Prime Time. 'And it killed the dynamic of homegrown players and trying to produce homegrown players.' Byrne was one of those who tried to raise the alarm over how Parnells' spending had gotten out of control. He even wrote a letter to then-GAA President Christy Cooney in 2011 to express his concern. But as he pointed out, nobody came to the rescue. 'I did have good engagement with Dublin County Board at different stages, trying to get some resolution. The GAA knew about it. Dublin County Board knew about it. They were signatories of the finances. The grounds and the money were vested in the GAA, so they should have taken a better control of it,' he said. He wasn't the only one that tried to shout stop. Stephen Cluxton, who skippered Dublin to their unprecedented period of dominance, dropped down to the second side in protest at how the club was being run, penning a letter to the executive. In these pages 11 years ago, Philip Lanigan had a special report headlined 'On the Brink' which suggested that the gates of the club were at risk of being shut permanently. And yet, the spending went on. In December 2014, with the club's financial position already perilous, gift cards – with a total value €9,000 – were given to almost 100 people involved in the club, including some players. In the same month, the club's financial statements showed net liabilities of more than €1million, with fuel cards costing the club thousands of euros every month. 7 July 2021; Stephen Cluxton of Parnells during the Go Ahead Adult Football League Division Three North match between Parnells and O'Tooles at Parnells GAA Club in Coolock, Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile 'Basically, the mileage, the expenses, the fuel cards, the accommodation, they were all classed as incentives to play for the club. And they were given these as benefits of playing for Parnells. But they were outrageous figures,' said Greg Walsh, another of the players on the 1988 county championship team, who served as coach and on the committee of the club down the years. While the club were still flashing the cash in an effort to get success on the field, things were going from bad to worse off it. They had used roughly half the windfall to acquire land from the Marist Fathers on a 999-year lease. There were conditions attached, such as the building of a sports hall and hurling wall within 18 months that could be used by the adjoining Chanel College, a school run by the Marists. A new clubhouse was opened as a hospitality venue in 2012, vast enough for weddings and other social events, but there was no sign of the sports hall or hurling wall. Even then, the club were in trouble. Professor Brennan, among others, suggested that there should have been more oversight from Croke Park. When the club were liquidated in January with debts of €1.5million, the GAA was owed almost €500,000 with Dublin County Board another €300,000. It's all well and good saying that they should have stepped in – but at what point? It already felt that it was nearly too late for Parnells when Cluxton removed himself from the senior team in 2014. The current survey on amateurism within the Association that President Jarlath Burns has asked all members to fill feels especially timely. We should ask ourselves even after the salutary lesson in the sad story of Parnells, has anything changed? In Dublin GAA or beyond? There are still clubs shelling out for outside managers and recruiting players. If anything should be learnt from Parnells, it's how damaging the forces of commercialism can be on community values and it's a message that the GAA might need to absorb itself. Little more than 24 hours before Prime Time was broadcast, the CCCC decided on the times and venues for this weekend's football quarter-finals. And rather than give each of last week's winning sides seven days off – ensuring that the integrity of the most thrilling football Championship in history remained intact – they decided to give Donegal a six-day turnaround and Kerry eight days. And this imbalance was down to commercialism. And generating revenue. No other reasons. As Armagh are the best-supported team in the country, they didn't want them on the same bill as Dublin – rather spread the big crowds over the two days. And there was the small matter of GAA+ having the Saturday quarter-finals. There would have been public uproar had Armagh v Kerry been behind a paywall. All of which meant that Donegal were given the short straw of the sixday turnaround – the first time in the three-year history of preliminary quarter-finals that has happened a team. It's unfair and it hurts the integrity of the competition, but it was done for reasons of commercialism. To start sacrificing their values at that particular altar is a dangerous road as the GAA should know from the sad story of Parnells.
Extra.ie
3 hours ago
- Extra.ie
GAA fans have their say as Dessie Farrell steps down
Dublin GAA fans have had their say after Senior Football manager Dessie Farrell confirmed he would not be returning to his role next season. The 53-year-old shared the news on GAA+ on Saturday evening after Dublin's loss to Tyrone in the quarter-final stages of the All-Ireland Championship. The full-time score was 23 points to 16 with many hitting out at Dessie for not enforcing the Dublin side to take more two-pointers. Dublin GAA fans have had their say after Senior Football manager Dessie Farrell confirmed he would not be returning to his role in the new season. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Speaking following Dublin's loss, Dessie admitted he was 'very disappointed for all involved' as he admitted there was 'a lot of valuable lessons from today.' He said: 'You'd like to say we've no regrets, but when we look back with that performance, I'm sure there'll be plenty of what could have been.' Asked about the lack of two-pointers made by the Dublin side, Dessie said it was 'definitely something you'd like to address' but wasn't an element that they had 'laboured or harped on.' 🚨BREAKING🚨Dessie Farrell confirms he is stepping down as Dublin manager after nearly six years in charge 👏 Football clips brought to you by @AIB_GAA #TheToughest #DUBvTYR — GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) June 28, 2025 The former Dublin player turned manager was then asked if he would be reflecting on a return to his management position next season, with Dessie stating it wasn't something he needed to think about. Dublin manager Dessie Farrell. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile He revealed: 'I would have informed the county board at the start of this season that regardless of what happened, this was going to be my last season. The players were aware of that and I've just informed them inside to confirm it. Dessie Farrell steps down after nearly four decades of service to #Dublin from winning senior All-Ireland's as a player AND manager,what I respect most is the years he put in with county development squads, and Minor and Under 21 teams. Enjoy your Tues & Thurs nights!👏 — Des Cahill (@sportsdes) June 28, 2025 'It's been a privilege. As a player and a coach I've been involved with Dublin for the guts of 40 years. It's a long, long time. It's been very much part of parcel in my life.' Dessie added that he has had a 'ringside seat to some of the greatest warriors that ever played the sport.' Dessie Farrell has stepped down as Dublin manager. Two All-Ireland titles as manager, five Leinster titles and of course All-Ireland winner as a player. Underage success too. A proper Dub, and a successful one too — Thomas Niblock (@thomasniblock) June 28, 2025 Tributes and well wishes poured in via social media for the outgoing manager, who was in the role since 2019. RTÉ sports presenter Des Cahill shared: 'Dessie Farrell steps down after nearly four decades of service to #Dublin GAA. Apart from winning senior All-Irelands as a player AND manager, what I respect most is the years he put in with county development squads, and Minor and Under 21 teams.' Dessie Farrell calls it a day on his time as Dublin manager on GAA+, guided Dublin to All-Ireland titles in 2020 & 2023 but history will reflect well on how he managed the enormous Dublin transition – managed to keep some of their greatest players going, and blood lots of talent — Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) June 28, 2025 Another wrote: 'Dessie Farrell has stepped down as Dublin manager Two All-Ireland titles as manager, five Leinster titles and of course All-Ireland winner as a player. Underage success too. 'A proper Dub, and a successful one too.' Dessie Farrells All Irelands are off the back of Jim Gavins team. Nothing to do with him. Tactically inept and has to go. — Aaron (@ORuaircA) June 28, 2025 A third commended: 'Guided Dublin to All-Ireland titles in 2020 and 2023 but history will reflect on how he managed the Dublin transition — managed to keep some of their greatest players going, and blood lots of talent.' Others weren't as positive towards the former Na Fianna player, with one saying: 'Dessie Farrells All Irelands are off the back of Jim Gavins team. Nothing to do with him. Tactically inept and has to go.' Dumped out of the all Ireland because Dessie Farrell is telling the lads not to try 2 pointers…. Scandalous behaviour, won an all Ireland off the back of Jim Gavin's genius but he's way out of his depth in reality!! — B (@BradleyLFC93) June 28, 2025 Another raged: 'Dumped out of the all Ireland because Dessie Farrell is telling the lads not to try 2 pointers… Scandalous behaviour, won an all Ireland off the back of Jim Gavin's genius but he's way out of his depth in reality!!' Earlier on in the day, Donegal beat Monaghan on a score of 1-26 to 1-20 in the first quarter-final. On Sunday, Meath face Galway while Kerry take on All-Ireland champions Armagh, with the draw for the semi-finals taking place directly after the clash.
