The force is strong in that one.
Tomás Ó Sé has rowed back from using the word ‘scumbag’ to describe Dublin’s footballers.
The Kerry legend sparked a bit of controversy on Sunday when he said that Jim Gavin has a mixture of great players and scumbags – despite making it clear that it was for the want of a better word. Despite the world actually being used while complimenting the team.
The iconic number five was speaking at the launch of RTÉ’s coverage of the football and hurling championships this summer.
“This Dublin team is mentally tough. They can win, they can lose, they can win dirty, they can win when they play poorly,” he told RTÉ Sport.
“They have a mixture of great players. They have a mixture of, for the want of a better word, a scumbag when they need somebody on the team to do the nasty things.
“It’s not only that they have the great players, they have a system of play and everyone is buying into that system.“They have good management and they are strong all over the field. They have everything you need to make a good team great.”
Fair enough, you’d think. Every great team needs a ruthless streak. Being aggressive is important. But welcome to the internet age.
@RTEgaa @tomas5ky scumbags?? Disgraceful choice of word Tomas. What word would you use to describe Donaghys antics???
— killian 🇵🇸🏳️⚧️ (@killianodris) May 8, 2016
@RTEgaa @tomas5ky Tomas you have gone down in my estimation.Amateur sport played by sportsmen. Let's leave Scumbag comments to Paul Williams
— GetCarter (@carterbyrne) May 8, 2016
Thankfully, there were people out there who understood what he meant.
@tomas5ky maybe you should have used the ice hockey phrase of "enforcers". Regardless, real Dubs knew what you meant, no harm.
— Sean Power (@seandepaor) May 8, 2016
Still, the An Gaeltacht man felt the need to clarify his comments.
Don't think the dubs are scumbags at all.poor choice of words. Meant that they have a few scamps. All great teams have them.
— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) May 8, 2016
Don’t be letting Joe down now, Tomás!
@tomas5ky @KCsixtyseven I thought it was a most enjoyable interview and you made it clear it wasn't the right word. Maith thú
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) May 8, 2016