Hugh Farrelly of the Irish Daily Mail believes Craig Gilroy should count himself fortunate to be continuing his career with Ulster Rugby.
The IRFU and Ulster Rugby terminated the contracts of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding following the pair’s acquittal of rape charges last month.
Gilroy sent one of the offensive messages on Whatsapp that was outlined in court but will continue to play for Ulster when he completes a two-week suspension.
Gilroy had already been made unavailable for selection.
And Farrelly has questioned Ulster’s decision to not hand a sterner punishment to Gilroy.
“I think that’s a very important point [about Gilroy sending offensive messages],” Farrelly told OTB’s Nathan Murphy.
“I would be much happier if the same decision [revoking of contract] was taken on Craig Gilroy as well.
“Because as you say, Jackson and Olding were acquitted of these charges. This decision was taken on those Whatsapp messages and Gilroy was part of that sordid narrative, if you want to put it that way.
“By keeping him on the books, the shadow of this trial and all the fallout from it, is going to hover over him.
“He’ll be on the pitch and he’ll be a focal point for protests, but it would have been better to move him on as well. He won’t be able to get rid of that image and by Ulster keeping him that image will constantly be in the spotlight.”
Listen to the full discussion with Hugh Farrelly below:
Written by James Hopper
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