RORY GALLAGHER says he has dismissed any fears that Michael Murphy’s participation in The Toughest Trade could impinge on preparations for the Allianz League.
Murphy will go to Frence rugby side Clermont Auvergne at the end of January to spend a week with the Top 14 side in Clermont-Ferrand.
The RTÉ show, in association with AIB, sees GAA players move to try their hand at a professional sport with a sportsman from the other trade dabbling in GAA.
Last night, Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams scored four points for Murphy’s club, Glenswilly, in a game against St Mary’s, Convoy.
It was recently revealed that Mayo joint managers Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly didn’t want Aidan O’Shea taking part in the show, but he did following their departures.
Gallagher has no qualms with Murphy – who is a keen rugby enthusiast – having a go at the oval ball game.
“Michael Murphy wouldn’t interfere with the league,” Gallagher told a press conference in Ballybofey this week.
“The Toughest Trade wouldn’t be happening if it interfered with the league, and to be fair it didn’t interfere with Mayo’s league, it was in the three-week gap last year.
“He’s going over to experience Clermont Auvernge, a professional outfit and it is an exciting opportunity for him.
“Ironically enough, Michael came to me about it a day or two after it all blew up in Mayo about it.
“He said: ‘I’m after getting a call about The Toughest Trade’.
“I asked if it was something he really wanted to do. He said yes.”
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