RTE viewers praised Stephen Cluxton after watching the financial ruin of Parnells GAA Club detailed on Prime Time.
Established in 1893, the six-time county champions went into liquidation in January.
The Coolock club went into liquidation in January[/caption]
That such a big club could go under is all the more amazing given it became the richest GAA club in the country in 2008.
This was due to it selling land it had first acquired around Collinstown Lane near Dublin Airport in 1974 for around £100,000.
The club received €22million upon selling that land. Half of that sum was soon spent on purchasing land in their main catchment area of Coolock from the Marist Fathers.
The rest was duly wasted as the club embarked upon reckless spending practices while building a state of the art clubhouse and other facilities.
In one stark moment during Tuesday’s programme it’s stated that Parnells went from employing two members of staff in 2007 to 69 by 2013.
These habits ended up burdening the outfit with huge overheads as chickens came home to roost in the following years.
The moment involving nine-time All-Ireland winner Cluxton that drew widespread acclaim from the watching public occurred in 2014.
It informed viewers that the goalkeeper wrote an open letter to all members of the club’s Executive.
In it, he outlined his “disgust” at the direction the club was going in. This prompted his “highly unusual” decision to regrade with their second team.
In the letter, the 43-year-old is quoted as saying: “I don’t agree with the policy of head-hunting players.
“I don’t agree that inter-county players are treated to various perks. I am disgusted the club is now in debt.”
Among the online reaction to the startling show, prominent GAA journalist Cahair O’Kane praised: “Stephen Cluxton will be remembered for everything he’s achieved on the pitch.
“But part of his legacy of greatness ought to be the principled stand he took about the financial direction Parnells were taking. Fair play to him.”
Similarly, Conor succinctly agreed: “So much integrity. Great fella.”
LEADER ON AND OFF THE PITCH
Máire pondered: “Prime Time about Parnells is crazy to me! How was a club allowed to go that far without any intervention.
“The ‘disquiet’ should have been LOUDER, at least Stephen Cluxton showed a bit of integrity.”
Fin added: “Anyone watch the Prime Time programme on Parnell’s GAA Club? Boom to Bust. Absolutely shocking.
“Non Dublin fans might not like Clucko but his letter to the club in the midst of this fiasco, expressing his fears and thoughts, showed the character of the man – top class.”
To which Liz replied: “Most GAA people respect and admire Stephen Cluxton. He’s a terrific player and a great captain.
“He knew that Parnells were on the wrong track and expressed concerns but the club Executive ignored him. It became a social club. Shame on the Executive.”
In January, the north Dublin outfit returned their training ground complete with a floodlit astroturf, clubhouse and gym to the Marist Order.
