Munster Express Online

“People are under the impression looking from the outside in that it works like that, but it doesn’t. There’s a lot of people out there who are highly educated and it’s a competitive market. I suppose even though we’re inter-county players and hurlers, we know there’s an awful lot of other people in the same boat… I’ve been out of work this past month, so it hasn’t been too long, but at the same time the future doesn’t look too well. When you get into a situation like this, you’ve got to get the priorities right. At the end of the day hurling and football are only sports and you’ve got to look after yourself.”

“Do you think Paolo Maldini at 41 is going out on a Saturday night and drinking with lager coming out of his ears and falling over? I don’t see it somehow.”

“Obviously the more the Sam Maguire and the Liam McCarthy go round the better. I’ve seen what success at All-Ireland level can do for a county, and there’s nothing else to match it, because success begets success. I know it’s 50 years this year since Waterford last won the All-Ireland and there’s nothing I’d like more than to see the team bring the McCarthy Cup back to the city and county this September.”

“You dirty Rat!”

“Of course I regret it [buying the club]. I never said I was an expert in football clubs. I was just a fan – although a very wealthy fan. But I’m not so wealthy now. I put my money into it and I tried my best. But I accept my best was woefully short. I am genuinely sorry for everybody about what has happened.”