London’s manager was furious at the suggestion that his side should leave the championship

Strong words. After Roscommon easily dispatched London in the first round of the Connacht championship a few weeks ago, their former goalkeeper, Shane Curran, made some controversial comments about the Exiles place in the championship, saying it was hard to see the value in their participation. After London were eliminated from the championship entirely after a 17-point home loss to Cavan in the first round of the qualifiers, manager Paul Coggins hit back at Curran over the remarks.

"It was a very silly statement to make by a guy that should know better. I’m disappointed with it. There is more to it than football. We are exiles. Every family in Ireland knows someone....there wouldn’t be too many that wouldn’t have been hit by emigration. We had no choice that we had to come over here. The statement was absolutely out of order and always will be."

In a way, both men are right. There is little to be gained from London receiving almost constant drubbings while the point that they have a right to compete in the championship is also valid. London are by no means the only county to get a hammering in this year's championship, and shouldn't be singled out as a result. Hat-tip to Balls.ie for the quotes. Do you agree with Coggins or Curran?