Carr looks to future without bitterness

After a tumultuous week that shook Dublin football, Tom Carr yesterday offered his parting thoughts with the sort of grace and courtesy that had marked his four-year reign as manager.

Events in Parnell Park on Monday night had been heated and controversial enough to leave plenty of anger in the air, yet Carr's epilogue was weighted heavily by positive reflection and general contentment. The invited media, specially gathered in a Dublin hotel, were unavoidably moved.

Flanked by his selectors John O'Leary, Richie Crean and Dom Twomey and later joined by team captain Dessie Farrell, Carr's opening lines made it clear that there would be no descent into bitterness.

"It is very unfortunate the way things turned out," he began, "And we were already in the process of making plans for next year, freshening it up and those sort of things. But obviously there are certain decisions that are outside our control.

"From the outset, though, I would like to state that we are in no way bitter about what happened. Of course there is nobody sorrier than us that we didn't achieve the success in terms of silverware that we had intended to achieve at the outset. But success is measured in a lot of different ways and I think the way the players stuck their neck out over the last week and showed moral courage, their commitment and spirit, that in itself can be regarded as successful."

Carr was absent from the meeting on Monday night when the club delegates split the vote - 46 for and 46 against, with one abstention - to decide on the management committee's recommendation not to offer him a fifth term in charge. County board chairman John Bailey then made the ultimate call, and the search for a new manager began.

The new manager will inherit a team to be proud of, says Carr: "For a start I believe that the team has been left in a much better state that what we found it in. I know the new person coming into this job will have a lot of plans and a lot of intentions, but I would hate to see the team change terribly. We feel that the team was very close to success this year, and there was a kick of the ball in two very high-profile and highly-important games.

"I would also like to see the players dedicate themselves and give the same time and loyalty to the new person. I feel that that person coming in will inherit a tremendous bunch of players."

As Carr talked on, freely throwing the same sort of compliments that over the last week the players had thrown freely at him, it seemed all the more unfortunate and puzzling that such a management team had been stopped in their tracks.

"I also want to thank all the people who contributed to our set-up, too numerable to mention. The most complimentary words, though, have to go to the players, and we would publicly like to thank them for all they've done over the past four years and over the past week."

As the more probing questions began, the extent of Carr's disillusionment became more apparent, starting with the whole process of his removal.

"Yes, the manner of it was the most disappointing thing out of this whole episode. We and the county in general could all have done without the controversial fashion by which it was done. But I had expected the worst, because it's very rare that decisions are overturned at county meetings."

John Bailey had felt that a fresh hand was necessary "and what's more important than Tom Carr or the selectors or the players is that Dublin is successful, and that's why managers are appointed," said Carr.

There were, however, aspects of that decision that needed clarification. Bailey had denied suggestions on Monday night that moves were made last February to end Carr's term. Yet certain moves did take place, Carr claimed. "Yes, we were aware that moves were made in February, a week or so after we lost to Roscommon in the league, to have us replaced. Others were aware of it too.

"But we got on with the job because we had to focus on what we were doing. Disappointed as we were, we thought that we would be able to convince anybody who had any doubts with the improvements we could make over the summer."

He also confirmed that he was asked to axe one or more of his selectors, only to indicate at the time his clear feelings that such action wasn't the right thing to do.

"In general, though, we have had huge support from the county board and I bear no ill will towards it. Anything we looked for we got. We had a good relationship and that was one of our objectives that we hoped to establish from the beginning."

Nonetheless, does he think he was treated unfairly? "Well I know what football is like at this level. When it leaves the field and goes to the committee room I know that GAA politics takes over. Nobody knows that better than I do considering the brushes I've had with various committee rooms over the last few years.

"But to say I was unfairly treated would be damning everybody and that's not what I want to do. In the main it was quite refreshing to see the support I got over the last week and where it came from. That has been an encouraging thing for me."

The news that experienced defender Paul Curran had announced his retirement as a result of the management's removal was raised. Carr hopes the decision will be reversed: "I know he has hinted at this over the last few weeks, but I think that Paul Curran has given Dublin as much service as any county player that has put on the Dublin jersey. I would hate to see him give it up, and I would encourage him to play on."

Dessie Farrell, who had also made a passionate plea to the club delegates on Monday night to leave the management team in place, emphasised the loyalty of the players. "Right now I feel like I've just hit the crossbar from two yards out. But to be honest it's deeply distressing. People have been saying that this is in the best interests of Dublin football but I would wonder if that is the truth or not.

"And I think it will it be detrimental and potentially it could be very damaging. I'm not sure what the fallout will be, but a lot of the aspects of what went on worry me greatly.

"Unlike Paul Curran I haven't contemplated my future too much, but I still feel I have something to offer and I will do that for as long as I'm wanted, with whatever Dublin manager is in charge. But I'm just so sad that on the threshold of success things have gone by the wayside."

Carr concluded with some interesting points. Because of the way the players stuck their necks out to back him, he would definitely have stayed on had the vote supported him. Nor has he been soured by these events.

"No, and if I was ever asked to get involved again I wouldn't rule it out. Our love for this thing was born out of changing rooms, training fields, big matches and big occasions.

"Of course we had disappointments but it's in the blood and no individual or anything like this will sour my taste against football. It's still a tremendous organisation."

Yet he is disappointed. "Sure, there's no doubt that it is a big regret not to get the extra year. Of course you don't know but the feeling here is definitely, yes, now we're ready to strike."