Dublin news overblown – Cunningham

THE reaction to the news that the Dublin team broke the GAA’s training ban was over-exaggerated according to Antrim county footballer Paddy Cunningham.

Last week, pictures were produced in the Irish Independent of a training session in north Dublin that involved some senior county players.

The GAA investigated the incident and county manager Dessie Farrell has received a 12-week suspension from his own county board. The GAA expressed ‘frustration and deep disappointment’ with the breach of the associations Covid guidelines.

The GAA have since confirmed that they will still allow collective training to begin for county teams from April 19.

Cunningham said: “I think it got a bit blown out of proportion. At the same time everyone has a responsibility to do the right thing.

“I think that Dublin were proactive in terms of their response to it.

“I think we have to train on our own. We are lucky enough to be able get back at the 19th, so we have to stick to the rules till that happens.”

Cunningham has postponed his retirement from intercounty football for another year. He was supposed to stop playing last season, but has decided to continue for one more year under the new Antrim management of Enda McGinley.