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Donal O'Grady led Limerick into action in last year's All-Ireland semi-final. Lorraine O'Sullivan/INPHO
Bitter Fallout

'The letters were just full of crazy stuff' - hate mail sent to Limerick captain disappoints chief

Donal O’Grady had to deal with irate supporters after Limerick’s All-Ireland semi-final loss to Clare last year.

LIMERICK GAA CHIEF Mike O’Riordan has revealed his disappointment at the hate mail received by county captain Donal O’Grady.

Midfielder O’Grady admitted he was shocked by ‘crazy’ correspondence from apparent supporters following last year’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Clare.

Long serving Limerick secretary O’Riordan said any criticism of O’Grady was ‘totally unwarranted’ after a breakthrough season.

O’Riordan said: “I don’t know the ins and outs of what Donal got. But I’m disappointed to see that he would get that kind of stuff. After the service he in particular has given to Limerick, it’s very disappointing to hear that.

“They will probably say themselves they didn’t perform in the semi-final but all of those players gave great service all year, it was a great year.

“For fellas like Donal to give sterling service and then be criticised in that manner, it’s totally unwarranted.”

O’Riordan revealed that county officials receive similar correspondence themselves at various times.

He said: “I have a box full of the stuff from the last five years. We do get it ourselves but we just ignore it. I imagine every county gets it, the usual stuff, basically guys venting their views in what is often a very strange manner. It wouldn’t be nice, some of the stuff that would come in.”

Munster title winning skipper O’Grady revealed in a new book, ’Fields of Fire’ by journalist Damian Lawlor, - ”We were probably favourites against Clare and maybe that didn’t suit us but the letters were just full of crazy stuff.

“I wouldn’t call the people who wrote them Limerick people anyway, no matter what they called themselves. Some were signed, some were not.

“I showed the most personal stuff to my wife, Catherine, and no-one else. It was disappointing but life goes on.”

Liam Lenihan and Mike O'Riordan Mike O'Riordan (left) with former Limerick chairman Liam Lenihan. Cathal Noonan Cathal Noonan

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