Colm O’Rourke says there is “a type of elitist snobbery” with some people who believe hurling is the greatest game on earth.
The Meath manager’s comments came after RTE pundit Donal Og Cusack labelled the second tier football championship - the Tailteann Cup - “a grand national for disappointed also-rans.”
Cork native Cusack’s blast came days after he hit out at the GAA for their failure to show the Clare/Limerick and Tipperary/Cork Munster Championship ties on terrestrial television.
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In a wide-ranging interview with OTBAM, O’Rourke also stated that the provincial football championships are “of no real importance” in the new All-Ireland structure and "the Leinster Championship is dead."
He also went on to claim that Joe Brolly and Pat Spillane are “a big loss” to GAA television punditry.
O'Rourke's Meath got off to a winning start in the Tailteann Cup over the weekend, defeating Tipperary and will now face Waterford on Saturday.
Speaking about Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA) President Cusack’s comments, O’Rourke said: “I wouldn’t pass too much remarks on that.
“Imagine me making comments like that about the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard or Lory Meagher Cup.
“I see the Meath hurlers. They played before us on Saturday and they are out in Dunganny training and putting in similar effort to us.
“I wouldn’t degenerate or run down a second tier hurling competition or a third tier hurling competition.
“There is a type of elitist snobbery with some hurling people who think that hurling is the greatest game on earth and, ‘I think it should be shown on television and promoted.’
“I don’t know where this comes from.
“People like that are better off instead of having rehearsed rants on radio or television, down in their club doing a bit of work at juvenile level.
“Hurling is a wonderful game. There is no doubt about it. As a spectacle it is fantastic. So is Gaelic football. Look at the Ulster final and the tension of it last Sunday. So is basketball. So is rugby.
“La Rochelle and Leinster on Saturday I’m sure will be wonderful. The World Cup final between France and Argentina,
“Tomorrow night, Man City and Real Madrid. Baseball and basketball. I love all those sports and cricket as well. Who is to decide who is the greatest game?
“I wonder who is the judge of that. Maybe golf is the greatest game of them all. It can be played by anyone, anywhere in the world, almost from nine to 90.
“And you can play at any level and the handicap system means that everybody is equal.
“I am not into this making comments about other sports. Everybody deserves equal respect.
“The Tailteann Cup is a great competition for those who haven’t got into the All-Ireland, but there are very many flaws in it.”
Speaking about his former RTE colleagues Brolly and Spillane, O’Rourke said: “I think it (punditry) has become a little bit sanitised.
“You need somebody to bring a bit of colour with enthusiasm.
“I always thought you needed to give an opinion that people sitting at home would say, ‘I think he’s a bloody eejit,’ or, ‘I agree with that.’
“Not to give something that everybody else could see. I think Mr Brolly is a big loss to television and Pat Spillane as well.
“I think they are a loss insofar as they give fairly forthright comments and people had an opportunity to agree or disagree with them.
“But like if everybody agrees with something and we all say the same thing it’s a pretty boring type of game and boring life in general.”
Speaking about structure of the season, O’Rourke said: “As Dessie Farrell said, the real competition starts now with the groups of four.
“To me the whole thing is a bit of a farce going from a league structure to a championship structure back to a league structure with the rounds of four and then onto another championship structure.
“I think it’s very demanding of players.
“This restricted season, the split season is certainly good for clubs but if you are an inter county player there is no split season.
“I see huge demands on players. A lot of injuries.
“To win the All-Ireland a team may have to win 17 or 18 competitive matches during the year.
“I think it’s too much. The player going back to his club after this will be spun out.
“I have the height of respect for somebody like Conor Glass (Derry captain) who has gone from county to club and back to county and is a star man. He is just a wonderful player to be able to do it.
“But I think there are very few Conor Glasses. I think a lot of county players after the county season is over are going to need a long break.”
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