Latest news with #Cluxton
RTÉ News
25-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
'Disgusted' Dublin icon Stephen Cluxton dropped to Parnells' second team in protest at how crisis club was run
Earlier this year one of Dublin's oldest GAA club, Parnells, was liquidated. The club, serving the parishes of Coolock and Artane, had been in financial difficulty for some time, having been ordered to pay a redundancy lump sum to 11 staff members who were not given work after the start of the Covid pandemic. However in 2008, Parnells GAA club sold lands near Dublin Airport for €22 million, making it the wealthiest of Ireland's 1,610 GAA clubs. Last night's Prime Time investigation detailed the club's precipitous fall. For a period in the last decade the club, chasing a first county title since 1988, was synonymous with the recruitment of inter-county stars from outside Dublin. Internal club documents – seen by Prime Time – show the scale of money allocated to some within the club. One player received almost €20,000 over a 16-month period – €8,050 for coaching and €11,600 for travel and subsistence. A number of years later, a coach was paid €16,820 in travel and subsistence payments over a 9-month period. However, the most successful inter-county footballer at Parnells (or any other club for that matter) is nine-time All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton - Parnells through and through. Just as Dublin were beginning to dominate, he took the unusual decision to drop down to the club's second team. As the goalkeeper has never been one for speaking to the media, his reasons for doing so were never made clear. However Prime Time last night revealed that in late September 2014 Cluxton wrote a letter to all members of the club executive. He outlined the reasons why he had taken the highly unusual decision to regrade down, to play for the club's second team. He also detailed his "frustration at the direction in which the club is being lead". The letter stated: "I don't agree with the policy of head-hunting players" and "I don't agree that county players are treated to various perks". He added that he was "disgusted with the tax situation having to be settled in the manner in which it was" and "I am disgusted that the club is now in debt".
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘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. 2 The Coolock club went into liquidation in January Credit: @RTE_PrimeTime 2 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. Read More On GAA 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. Most read in GAA Football 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. Tomas O'Se calls out GAA's mid-season rule change but fellow Sunday Game pundit disagrees "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.
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Barney Rock hails Stephen Cluxton as Dublin icon chases record tenth All-Ireland SFC title
DUBLIN legend Barney Rock lauded all-time great Stephen Cluxton as the goalkeeper aims to take a step closer to a perfect ten. The seven-time All-Star came under fire for his display in 2 Dublin legend Barney Rock hailed Stephen Cluxton for his remarkable title haul 2 Dublin captain Stephen Cluxton is searching for a tenth Sam Maguire cup with Sky Blues His kickouts malfunctioned as the Royals subjected their old rivals to a first defeat in a provincial fixture in 15 years. But in his 23rd Championship campaign, Cluxton responded with a starring role in the win over Galway in the opening round of the All-Ireland groups. Rock said: 'Maybe you wouldn't be expecting to see a 43-year-old but he's an exceptional keeper. 'He must be one of the best goalkeepers ever.' READ MORE ON GAA Although he conceded a couple of goals against Galway, Cluxton's first-half save that foiled Shane Walsh was key. He kept a clean sheet in the Cork ace Chris Óg Jones produced a superb finish to find Cluxton's net in Saturday's preliminary quarter-final. Still, Dessie Farrell's advanced. Speaking at the launch of the 24th annual Circet All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge, Rock said: 'He'll be disappointed he let a couple of goals in but there wasn't much he could do about the Cork one.' Most read in GAA Football Along with Michael Fitzsimons and James McCarthy, Cluxton is one of three to have won nine All-Ireland SFC medals. But with that pair now retired, the Parnells man will be out on his own if the Dubs reclaim Sam. Tomas O'Se calls out GAA's mid-season rule change but fellow Sunday Game pundit disagrees Ahead of Saturday's quarter-final with Tyrone, Rock said it would be 'a fantastic honour' if he were to achieve the feat. He said: 'If Dublin win it, he will be there to win the tenth and Mick and James would be behind. But records are there to be broken.
Irish Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dublin forced to grind out result as they book quarter-final spot
Dublin 1-19 Cork 1-16Dublin are through to the last eight of the Championship for the 22nd consecutive season after grinding their way past certainly wasn't the performance of champions in waiting from Dessie Farrell's side as they struggled for long periods of the first half and were behind as late as the 55th minute, but they outscored a plucky Cork outfit by 0-7 to 0-3 coming down the stretch with Seán Bugler and Cormac Costello top-scoring with 0-5 each and Paddy Small weighing in with Óg Jones was Cork's main attacking threat and arguably the best forward on the field as he finished with 1-4 from play, giving Seán MacMahon a difficult evening, though Stephen Cluxton denying him a second goal in the first half ultimately proved result means that Dublin will play one of Tyrone, Monaghan or Meath in the All-Ireland quarter-final next weekend, with 2003 the last time that they failed to reach that stage of the Championship or its was no Con O'Callaghan as he was withdrawn from the published line-up and although the likes of Bugler, Costello and Small showed up well at times, his loss was still felt and Dublin's chances of kicking on from here will weigh heavily on his missed the defeat to Armagh, he played a full part in Dublin's season-saving win over Derry seven days earlier, with Farrell outlining afterwards how he had 'run the gauntlet' by holding him in reserve with a potentially more testing quarter-final in once Dublin got ahead late on, Cork's threat dwindled as their only score in the closing 12 minutes came from a Mark Cronin the incredible drama of the first game at Croke Park, there was a flatness to the atmosphere as this preliminary quarter-final got underway, though perhaps that would have been the case in any Limerick supporters among the 36,546 attendance largely headed for home and, after five minutes, it looked the smart call as a second shock of the day already appeared remote as Dublin swept into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead through Paddy Small (two), Ciarán Kilkenny and it would be 12 minutes before they scored again and, indeed, they only managed four scores for the remainder of the half as Cork took control of the game and bossed possession for long Og Jones got them off the mark in the ninth minute before Mark Cronin added a free and Cork went in front as Jones finished low to Cluxton's left and in off the post for the game's opening goal after Ian Maguire had taken possession from a sideline Hurley kicked a couple of points for Cork and though Dublin were kicking the odd score to stay on their shoulder, it was John Cleary's side that were finding the scores easier and, indeed, they had a golden opportunity for a second goal only for Cluxton to save from Jones on the half hour goalkeeper Micheál Aodh Martin converted the resulting 45 and Jones brought his tally to 1-2 as he waltzed through amid a glaring lack of intensity from the Dublin however, Bugler hooked over a two-pointer just before the buzzer to halve Dublin's deficit and make it 1-8 to 0-9 at the seized the initiative on the restart, outscoring Cork by 1-3 to 0-1 in the opening 10 minutes to go three points in front. Brian Howard struck for the goal after he lost Seán McDonnell all too easily, though the Raheny man's finish was lethal as he gave Martin no chance with a rocket to the top to their credit, didn't buckle and hit four points without reply through Colm O'Callaghan, Jones, Cronin and Seán Walsh to regain the lead as Dublin went through another fallow period, this time going 10 minutes without a boss John Cleary was the most relieved man in Croke Park as an act of dissent on his part - he kicked the ball away as Dublin were about to take a sideline ball - resulted in a 50-metre penalty though Costello kicked the resulting two-point free did bring Dublin level shortly afterwards, however, before Paddy Small put them in front with his third of the day. It was nip and tuck as Jones equalised, Bugler restored Dublin's lead and then sub Cathail O'Mahony fisted Cork level with 12 minutes points from Costello and Paddy Small gave Dublin some comfort but Cronin's free was brought it back to one and McDonnell had a two-point free to put Cork in front only for it to drop short into Cluxton's that, Cork's chance was effectively gone as Costello (free) and sub Luke Breathnach completed the scoring to see Farrell's side into the last S Cluxton; E Murchan, S MacMahon, D Byrne; B Howard (1-0), J Small (0-1), L Gannon (0-1); P Ó Cofaigh-Byrne, C Kilkenny (0-1); K McGinnis, S Bugler (0-5, 1tp), N Scully (0-1); P Small (0-4), L O'Dell, C Costello (0-5, 0-2f).Subs: C Murphy for O'Dell (45), L Breathnach (0-1) for McGinnis (57), T Lahiff for Gannon (59), N Doran for Scully (68).CORK: MA Martin (0-1 '45'); N Lordan,D O'Mahony, M Shanley; B O'Driscoll, S Brady, M Taylor; I Maguire (0-1), C O'Callaghan (0-2); P Walsh, S Walsh (0-1), S McDonnell; M Cronin (0-4, 0-2f), B Hurley (0-2), C Jones (1-4).Subs: E McSweeney for P Walsh (48), C Cahalane for McDonnell (49-58, temp), C O'Mahony (0-1) for Hurley (55), S Powter for Taylor (58), L Fahy for Lordan (63).REFEREE: S Hurson (Tyrone).
The Irish Sun
28-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Diarmuid Connolly backs Stephen Cluxton after Meath blow as Dublin icon silences critics with Galway heroics
EVEN after Dublin failed to reach the Royal standard, Diarmuid Connolly never had any doubts about Stephen Cluxton's ability to justify his continued selection. The performance of the legendary goalkeeper, 43, was heavily scrutinised following his side's elimination from the 2 Diarmuid Connolly never had any doubts about Stephen Cluxton' despite some heavy criticism this season 2 Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton put on a solid display in the clash against Galway His kickouts were devoured as the A nine-time All-Ireland SFC winner, Cluxton is now in his 23rd Championship campaign. And he delivered an emphatic response to the questions that were raised by his contribution to the Leinster semi-final loss. The seven-time All-Star played a starring role in Salthill as Dublin started their Sam Maguire campaign with an READ MORE ON GAA Asked if the fall-out from the Meath game left him concerned that this might prove to be one year too many for Cluxton, former team-mate Connolly said: 'No. I think what Stephen will give you. "And you saw it there against Galway, he doesn't get too flustered about the nitty-gritty sort of small things. 'I'd never throw him under the bus anyway. I know the guy personally, I've trained with him for so long and I know the sort of work that he puts in behind the scenes.' With the game's new rules requiring all kickouts to travel beyond the 40-metre arc, Connolly points out that responsibility for a malfunctioning restart does not rest entirely with a goalkeeper. Most read in GAA Football The ex-Dublin forward remarked: 'It's easy to say, 'Stephen didn't kick 80 per cent today', and it's easy to blame him for the loss. For me, it's the guys out the field that have to show for the ball. 'It's very difficult for a goalkeeper now. They have to get it off within a certain amount of time and they have to kick it for a distance now. 'Like something out of the French Revolution' - RTE GAA pundit Donal Og Cusack slams Dublin star's reckless swipe "If they don't have the options out the field, that can't happen, so you can't solely blame that on the keeper. 'But against Galway, that was completely different. 'There were options out the field and I thought Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, when we did have to go long, he either broke it or won his own ball. That's a huge thing.' Cluxton was at the centre of some key moments as Dublin eked out their 1-18 to 2-14 win against Galway. As well as producing a vital first-half save to deny Shane Walsh a goal, the pinpoint accuracy of a last-minute kickout started the move that culminated in Tom Lahiff's winning score. Dubs boss Dessie Farrell will hope for another big performance from his most senior statesman when the campaign resumes against All-Ireland champions Armagh at Croke Park on Sunday. And Connolly added: 'Stephen answered the questions like he usually does. "It was difficult for him against Meath — they really pressed the kickout but I thought we hadn't got a lot of options out the field and we had more against Galway for him.' l DIARMUID CONNOLLY was speaking in his role as a BoyleSports ambassador
