John Kiely has hit out at speculation around Nickie Quaid's 'injury' in the first half of Saturday's Limerick-Clare game, while explaining that his keeper 'wasn't feeling well' during the All-Ireland semi-final
Limerick held their pre-All-Ireland final media event last night at the Gaelic Grounds.
There has been much online discussion about the incident after the game, as the momentum of the match swung radically in the minutes that followed.
Viewing the incident in real time on RTÉ radio, Davy Fitzgerald said:
I don't think that much happened to Nickie.
"He's done it once or twice in the championship already, he's just trying to break the play up."
Quaid's injury required assistance from the Limerick medical team and came as Galway lead by six points amid an opening blitzkrieg.
Minutes later, Limerick altered their approach. Galway had no reply and Kiely's men won by nine.
After the match on Saturday, Kiely said he hadn't seen the incident. Speaking last night, he called the conversation around the injury 'utterly laughable' and 'unbelievable'.
"I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that we’re talking about this two days after two All-Ireland semi-finals. It’s utterly laughable, to be quite honest with you. It’s unbelievable.
"Of course, it’s a focus that has been driven by a few individuals but I find it absolutely crazy that we’re talking about this two days after an All-Ireland semi-final."
John Kiely: Quaid was 'not feeling well'
Kiely also had some intriguing answers when asked about Quaid's vision and whether the Effin man wears contact lenses. Quaid seemed to be adjust a contact lens at one stage during the break in play.
Kiely says he does not know whether his goalkeeper wears contact lenses, and would never ask about that.
"I’m not privy to Nickie’s medical history. "Can you imagine me going to Nickie, 'What’s your sight like, Nickie?’ Would you seriously think I’d be doing such a thing like that? Absolutely not.
This a surprising admission, given how important a goalkeeper's vision is to his performance.
Kiely also said it was referee James Owens who ushered the Limerick team doctor onto the pitch, and said Quaid 'wasn't feeling well' during the game.
"Number one, I will highlight, who called in the doctor to Nickie? James Owens, the referee. So I’d say go and ask James Owens.
"Why did James Owens (do that)? Because his umpire expressed concern to James Owens about Nickie, because Nickie wasn’t feeling well. That’s what happened. Fact.
"Obviously these people that are commenting online don’t know the facts so I think the facts are very important."
Kiely also didn't rule out captain Declan Hannon for the All-Ireland final on Sunday week, but says he has a number of milestones he must hit in order to be eligible to return to fitness.
