Just a few weeks after Stephen Kenny called out Richard Sadlier, UCD are now unhappy about Dave Barry’s comments about the Students.
We don’t know what the lads in RTE are putting in the tea but the Monday Night Soccer panel have picked up a habit of annoying the managers of the Airtricity League.
A few weeks back we told you about Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Kenny’s reaction to MNS man Richard Sadlier’s assertion that he should leave the club. Let’s just say he wasn’t best pleased, especially when they tweeted out the rumour that he may leave the champs.
No sooner had RTE and Kenny kissed and made up than another row has kicked off. This time Dave Barry is in the firing line, with UCD unhappy with his recent comments about them and fellow strugglers Dundalk.
The Cork City legend said this about the Dublin club on the show.
“They are bottom of the table, there is no pressure on them, financially there is no talk about paying rent or mortgages,” Barry said.
“UCD haven’t got that burden. For them, it’s ‘I have to pass my exams, I can go home or whatever’ whereas Dundalk are a professional club, trying to play in a professional league and stay in this league which is very, very difficult.”
UCD were incensed at the idea that their players didn’t care as much as other in the league and they have sent a letter to RTE to complain, which the Irish Independent publish excerpts from today.
“UCD operate in the same financial environment as every other club in the league, taking on the added expense of putting their players through the education system.
“Dave Barry was comparing UCD and Dundalk, and UCD appear to come off second best when he talks about professionalism and a desire to stay in the league.
“The players at UCD should not be ridiculed for making a conscientious decision to pursue their education, while also taking on the pressures of playing against the best sides in the country week in, week out.”
UCD boss Martin Russell also spoke on the issue. “Our players watch MNS and to make a comment like that is wrong,” he said. “We are a serious club and we have the same ambitions as Dundalk. Our club has made sacrifices that are to be applauded, but we have been described as being inferior when compared to Dundalk.
“Our players take a path that pairs football and education, but that is being ridiculed. While we struggle with attendances, we do other things better than other clubs and merit our place because of how we manage our finances.”
So while Hook, Dunphy and Spillane get a lot of grief, it sounds like the most dangerous job in RTE right now is being an MNS pundit.
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