Advertisement
Joe Brolly fumes in the wake of the Tyrone-Mobnaghan game last weekend. RTE screengrab

Joe Brolly: I called Sean Cavanagh yesterday to apologise

The RTÉ pundit says he regrets one line in his now infamous tirade.

RTÉ GAELIC FOOTBALL pundit Joe Brolly says he rang Tyrone midfielder Sean Cavanagh yesterday to apologise.

The outspoken Derry native launched a stinging verbal attack on the Red Hand talisman and Mickey Harte’s cynical tactics in the wake of the narrow win over Monaghan in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final on Saturday evening.

But after a week in which his comments have been dissected by the GAA world, Brolly says he made the call yesterday to apologise for ‘one line’ in the televised tirade.

“I rang Sean yesterday,” Brolly said on TV3′s Ireland AM. “I meant everything that I said, – everything that I said — and you know it is a cancer in the game and it’s destroying the spirit of the game, it’s permeating through to under-age levels and all of that.

“But I spoke to Sean yesterday and apologised to Sean for one line, which I hadn’t realised I said at the time. About ‘you can forget about him as a man’. What I meant obviously was as a man and how he conducts himself on the field. But it’s nothing to do with his private life.”

Brolly said Cavanagh accepted his apology and they moved on to discuss Tyrone’s semi-final opposition.

“We spent half and hour talking about the pros and cons of Mayo,” he said. “But that part of it… I meant everything I said but I didn’t mean to impute anything about his private life. It was most unfair and I appreciated that when I looked at it again so fair is fair and he was very gracious about accepting it.”

Here’s the footage:

YouTube: Jeffrey Molloy, H/T Balls.ie

Joe Brolly is speaking absolute nonsense’ – Peter Canavan

The ex-Clare hurler and 2006 Allstar who is now part of the Dublin senior backroom team

Close
49 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BroadSideSkid
    Favourite BroadSideSkid
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:23 AM

    It’s a Big Man who can say he’s sorry.
    Joe Brolly has gone way up in my estimation.
    … And I still agree with the rest if his rant …

    731
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robin Pickering
    Favourite Robin Pickering
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:34 AM

    He didn’t say he said sorry. He said he apologised. There’s a difference. Point taken though.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Murray
    Favourite Dave Murray
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 11:18 AM

    Robin, I think you’re nit pick(er)ing.

    344
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Gorman
    Favourite James Gorman
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 1:43 PM

    BroadSideSkid, it was a very minimal qualified apology designed to minimise exposure to slander. Read the line Brolly used – appalling.
    Least we agree it was a rant.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Clarke
    Favourite John Clarke
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:10 AM

    He was correct to apologise for that particular reference to Cavanagh as a man. Fair play to him for stepping up and acknowledging that. As for all of his other comments on the foul and the attitude to this type of play in the game generally, Brolly was and is 100% correct.

    558
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robin Pickering
    Favourite Robin Pickering
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:33 AM

    Still took him four days to apologise.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Clarke
    Favourite John Clarke
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 11:06 AM

    In fairness he did also clarify and withdraw that specific comment and apologised for any offence caused by it in media interviews over the past few days too. So he did acknowledge it sooner than four days, just not directly to Cavanagh. That’s fair enough though.

    133
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Figo murphy
    Favourite Figo murphy
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 2:11 PM

    4 days? That must have been the longest apology ever!

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis Smyth
    Favourite Francis Smyth
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 7:51 PM

    You mustn’t be married

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Montys Moonshine
    Favourite Montys Moonshine
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:07 AM

    Between hearing his tirade and listening to him on today fm talking about transplants in Ireland, joe brolly has really gone up in my estimation.

    399
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tara Murphy
    Favourite Tara Murphy
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:21 AM

    A selfless man,good on him for donating a kidney to a man he barely knew,ok he gets a bit hot headed but so what,he doesn’t deserve the bad criticism he got for his rant,he’s entitled to his opinion!!

    322
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dingleberrycity
    Favourite Dingleberrycity
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:17 AM

    To give a Kidney like that was outstanding.

    222
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute robby rottenest
    Favourite robby rottenest
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:33 AM

    He vented his spleen for free too! What a guy.

    131
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Victor Brown
    Favourite Victor Brown
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 11:09 AM

    That wasn’t a rant. It was passion. That’s what makes people live & die for their sport. Well done Joe Brolly.

    200
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute macca
    Favourite macca
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:58 AM

    Good to apologise for that remark but the rest was correct

    116
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Carroll
    Favourite Peter Carroll
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 11:02 AM

    Passionate MAN … Says it like he sees it … CAN’T FAULT HIM FOR THAT … As for donating a kidney …… MUCHO RESPECT … That’s all

    97
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harvey
    Favourite Harvey
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:36 AM

    I wonder what mayo’s cons were

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eighties BlackGuy
    Favourite Eighties BlackGuy
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 3:07 PM

    That they are confidence team and a good start is essential. If they go behind it will sap their belief. That they will be hampered by disrupting the flow of the game and introducing a bit of needle into proceedings. That if the game becomes an ugly slugfest, they won’t have the temperament or pedigree to win our.

    In short, Tyrone are the perfect team to do a number on them!

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony Byrne
    Favourite Anthony Byrne
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 1:25 PM

    This one should be put to bed now. He apologises for the personal attack, He stands over his opinions on footballing issues. Fine. Sorted.
    This one is over.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Campbell
    Favourite John Campbell
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 1:10 PM

    This item should not be about Joe Brolly and his outburst or his partial apology. He rightly opened a debate about ‘professional’ fouls in the GAA. It should be called exactly what it is, pure thuggery nothing more nothing less.
    The introduction of the black card is just a sleight of hand way for the GAA to pretend to deal with this activity. Send a thug off and replace him with a fresh player. What a joke!
    Red card the perpetrators of this disgusting stuff and leave it at that. The wink wink nudge nudge of those coaching and in management positions in the GAA relative to dirty play should be stamped out.
    What makes a man or a woman in any sport is the spirit of healthy fair play that’s engaged in, not trying to be the biggest thug who wins a game through wanton fouling.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry The Gypo
    Favourite Harry The Gypo
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:13 AM

    The headline should read…. ‘ I licked Sean Kavanagh’s arse yesterday’

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian
    Favourite Brian
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:28 AM

    At least spell the mans name properly

    182
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robin Pickering
    Favourite Robin Pickering
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:31 AM

    At least spell man’s properly.

    28
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robin Pickering
    Favourite Robin Pickering
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:49 AM

    So says the anonymous Internet warrior!

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry The Gypo
    Favourite Harry The Gypo
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 1:10 PM

    Eijits

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robin Pickering
    Favourite Robin Pickering
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 3:04 PM

    wierdo, where did your racist comments go? Did you report them yourself? Embarrassed much? Do you feel better now you got it all off your chest?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robin Pickering
    Favourite Robin Pickering
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 4:31 PM

    Wierdo, now all your offensive comments have gone!! Is that three strikes? While you’ve been trolling the journal, I’ve been out, having a life. Good luck!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Gorman
    Favourite James Gorman
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:40 AM

    Wondered how long it would take for that apology. Hard to believe a barrister would leave himself open to slandering the person instead of focussing the action. I suspect there may have been legal consultations in the background. Whatever about the tackle which wasn’t dangerous albeit cynical Kavanagh is a gentleman.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal Golden
    Favourite Cathal Golden
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 4:32 PM

    Get a room!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Gorman
    Favourite James Gorman
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 6:04 PM

    What Cathal?

    3
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wolf Pack
    Favourite Wolf Pack
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 9:07 PM

    Brolly clarified on Today fm he was talking about Cavanagh the sportsman. He also said he knows nothing about the guys personal life. He then rang him to personally apologise. You need to get over it, I’m sure Sean Cavanagh has.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seamus Garrity
    Favourite Seamus Garrity
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 3:31 PM

    Fair play to joe for ringing Sean nice gesture lets now get on with the football

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gingerman
    Favourite gingerman
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 11:04 AM

    Seems like you can get away with anything after you donate an organ.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lord Loverocket
    Favourite Lord Loverocket
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 11:19 AM

    You obviously donated your brain a long time ago

    164
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gingerman
    Favourite gingerman
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 12:43 PM

    Is that you in the Avatar? Intellectual so.

    4
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lord Loverocket
    Favourite Lord Loverocket
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 1:13 PM

    Brains AND brawn Gingerman ;)

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Siméia Frainc Ó Broin
    Favourite Siméia Frainc Ó Broin
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 3:43 PM

    Maybe the ‘man’ reference has something to do with him leaving the pitch in a bra

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dave
    Favourite dave
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 10:19 AM

    If you look up ugly in the dictionary joe brolly would be the first head that pop s up.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lord Loverocket
    Favourite Lord Loverocket
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 11:17 AM

    I think you mean “selfless”

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dave
    Favourite dave
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 11:48 AM

    Nah ‘ugly’

    5
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lord Loverocket
    Favourite Lord Loverocket
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 11:56 AM

    Dave, your head popped up when I looked up numpty.

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dave
    Favourite dave
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 7:12 AM

    Your head popped up when I looked up g string

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gingerman
    Favourite gingerman
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 12:47 PM

    This was an ugly rant. To be honest I thought it was cringeworthy. Why should donation of an organ give people carte Blanche to behave like this? You could see the other two looking on in disbelief but afraid to say anything in case they were lambasted for suggesting that poor decent Joe Brolly was off his Trolly

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Monor Curry
    Favourite Monor Curry
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 8:44 PM

    It doesn’t give them carte blanche to behave like this. When he ranted about it in the immediate aftermath of the game, nobody was saying “Jesus a bit harsh there… though I suppose Brolly has given a kidney so he might have a point”. Nobody brought up the organ donation at all regarding this, so you’re being a pretty pathetic troll in all honesty.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emmet Daly
    Favourite Emmet Daly
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 1:57 PM

    Professional fouls are apart of every sport. People make fouls to protect their teams interest in soccer, gaelic hurling and rugby. It is a part of the game. Get over it

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nivag Yeoh
    Favourite Nivag Yeoh
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 3:27 PM

    You don’t know what you’re on about.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Monor Curry
    Favourite Monor Curry
    Report
    Aug 8th 2013, 8:46 PM

    His point is that there is no sanction against it in Gaelic football. In soccer if you drag a man down cynically to stop a counter attack, you get yellow carded. If you’re the last man and stop a goalscoring opportunity, you’re off.

    If you slap a ball away in rugby to stop a certain try, you’re sinbinned and penalty try awarded (I think).

    Yes cynicism and professional fouls are part and parcel of every sport, but we don’t have a punishment that fits the “crime” in Gaelic football (and I’m assuming hurling as well).

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm McCarthy
    Favourite Colm McCarthy
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 1:32 AM

    He’s one hell of a tool , but his argument was spot on , but he is still a tool , and if I ever met him, jesus I’d let him know .

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute packie joe mc ginty
    Favourite packie joe mc ginty
    Report
    Aug 9th 2013, 8:20 AM

    He’s gone up a notch in my book…… He’s at 1 now !!!!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.