| Hehir brothers cite personal reasons
for absence BY DAVID THORPE
The Hehir brothers, two of London’s most talented Gaelic footballers
have said personal reasons are behind their decision not to play this
season.
Paul Hehir spoke exclusively to the Irish Post saying: “I am working
a lot in Manchester and Bradford, so it is not really possible for me
make it down for training on a regular basis. My brother Senan is getting
married this year and wants to concentrate on that.”
The London-born brothers have been consistent performers in recent years.
Both have played senior football for their father’s home county,
Clare, and there has been speculation as to why they had not returned
to the county panel for the 2006 season.
That speculation had increased in recent weeks after London lost their
opening two National Football League fixtures, against Longford and Roscommon,
by 11 and 17 points respectively.
These results, and the comments of the Roscommon manager, John Maughan
that the “London team did not look motivated” has caused some
commentators to question the exiles future, especially as teams of the
calibre of Donegal and Limerick will be opposing them soon.
Paul Hehir was anxious to clarify that neither he nor his brother have
any grievance with the London County board or management.
“At the moment both of us have just a little two much on to give
the sort of commitment necessary to play for London,” he said. “It
is no reflection on the London management or squad,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the London County Board was “very hurt”
by comments made by Maughan after last weekend’s drubbing in the
National League when London went down by 2-14 to 0-3 to Roscommon.
Larry O’Leary said: “I don’t think it was right for
him to comment on the internal business of another county.”
The outspoken manager had questioned London’s motivation following
the game. “We were especially suprised since the Roscommon county
board had been very courteous to us,” said O’ Leary.
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