Laois GAA disassociated themselves from comments made by Walsh, who subsequently apologised earlier this week.
Laois footballer Gary Walsh has been dropped from the panel for this weekend’s Division Four league final with Carlow after posting a controversial tweet following the delivery of the verdict in the Belfast rape trial this week.
A report in Laois Today claims that Walsh was informed that he wouldn’t be involved in Saturday’s game on Thursday night, after he had met with manager John Sugrue at training earlier in the evening.
It is also believed to be unclear whether Walsh – who is the top scorer in all four divisions of the National League with 4-41 in six games – has been removed from the panel only for the clash with Carlow or whether it will be a longer-term absence.
In the wake of the verdict being delivered in the Belfast rape trial on Wednesday, Walsh posted a tweet (since deleted), which read: “Where’s your ones name from the paddy Jackson trial? It’s her that should be destroyed in the papers now, all yee feminists come at me I’ll throw the kitchen sink at ya.”
Laois GAA subsequently moved to disassociate themselves and their sponsors from the comments, while Walsh issued an apology of his own on Twitter, which has also since been deleted.
The sponsor’s logo on the Laois jersey, meanwhile, has been blurred out in images which appear on Walsh’s Twitter page.
Laois GAA wish to disassociate themselves from tweets or comments made by individuals on Social Media. Such comments are their own personal opinion, on their own personal accounts, and in no way reflect the views of Laois CLG, main sponsors MW Hire and other associated sponsors.
— Laois GAA (@CLGLaois) March 28, 2018
Speaking to JOE on Friday, Laois PRO Pat O’Sullivan refrained from commenting on the matter, saying that the panel’s attentions were fully focussed on the league final against Carlow in Croke Park.
Laois have yet to name a team or a panel for Saturday’s encounter, but O’Sullivan said that they are still waiting to determine the availability of a number of players for the game, which throws in at 3pm in Croke Park.
