Graham Gartland

There were discussions with the coaches and it became apparent, as you said, an allegation had been made in relation to a comment from an Ireland player to an England player.

There was a bit of confusion and you could hear the Ireland coach, Graeme Gartland, suggesting that They were initially alleging one player had said it and then that it was actually a second player.

And he did pick them up on this in terms of the credibility of the allegation.

And later on, because FIFA left the live stream running, you could hear...

Him saying, using Kermit the Frog to illustrate that the words that had been used had been a muppet as opposed to anything racist.

So it was kind of farcical, but pretty serious at the same time.

The word that was alleged was monkey, I think, wasn't it? And the coach then, the Ireland coach then said that that wasn't what was said, that what was said was the word muppet.

Yes, that's correct.

Players injured, suspensions, you have to contend with so much.

And I always think for a team and a group and a squad to come together and achieve that together, I always think... it's it's it's it's a special thing really that'll be there forever funny enough we only had a reunion was it last year with those lads as well and so that's a bond that'll be that'll be there forever uh you always remember those teammates those lads that were kind of soldier and witcher throughout the season and and even for me i was lucky enough in that dressing room played with some great players with shelburne and great lads more importantly like um fantastic lads who are still good friends of mine and they'll always be friends so i think that's important as well it's not just about obviously having the medal in your pocket it's that feeling of sense of achievement and And that's what makes a great team as well.

And the manager will always have that feeling, that grow towards the players also.

So yeah, it's very, very special.