'Utter rubbish' - Ferris jumps to the defence of papped Ulster players
Former Ulster and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris has responded to The Belfast Telegraph after it exposed Craig Gilroy training with someone from outside his household during lockdown.
The paper used a photo that the winger briefly shared on Instagram of him training outside with someone who it said is not believed to be a member of his household. People are currently advised in Northern Ireland not to leave their house for anything other than essential travel, which includes shopping and exercise, and this should be down either individually or with someone from the same house.
Gilroy is not the first player to be exposed by the paper, who have highlighted which players have gone against regulations during the coronavirus pandemic. The paper also snapped brothers Alan and David O'Connor (both who live in the same household) and Marty Moore training in a Belfast city park.
However, Ferris, who played for the province for nine years before retiring in 2009, has taken exception to players being singled out and appears to feel that they are being excessively criticised.
He said on Twitter:
“Yet another embarrassing article. Please Belfast Telegraph I’m urging you to stop with this utter rubbish.
"You have done so much for Ulster Rugby over the years in a positive way.... it’s your 150th year, make it a good one for crying out loud.”
Some might argue that in the current circumstances, The Belfast Telegraph are at liberty to highlight those that may be flouting regulations, but by the same token, Ferris is also entitled to defend the players, particularly given a photo doesn't necessarily paint the entire picture.
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I still see nothing in Sotutus play that hes changed his upright running style that failed so many times against decent international defences like the french. Other than that… Iose? Well you have covered his limitations well. If Sititi had been playing the the season… Jacobson? Grace?…Neither shout pick me. So Ardie it is.
Go to commentsThere isn’t one element you mentioned there that every top class or successful team gets up to. The great All blacks sides used to play on the ‘fringes or edge’ but it was essentially saying they were doing something illegal or borderline to gain dominance. The fine margins at the top are minute between the top sides. La Rochelle, the crusaders, Saracens, Toulon etc etc…..have all been accused. Get over it, the comment comes across as salty and naive. Northampton as well as they played to get back into the match were thoroughly beaten and controlled for 60 minutes and Leinster have only themselves to blame for kicking it away and hence losing control of the match and being nearly the architects of their own downfall.
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