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Good article by Brian O Connor

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/welcome-to-championship-and-a-new-summer-of-naked-blackguarding-1.2657484

"It's there to varying degrees in every match. But it's always there. That constant shaping and shouldering mixed in with pulling, picking, pawing, the accidental-on-purpose knee to the back or sly step on the Achilles, a provocative word in the ear or an elbow to the ribs, invariably accompanied by feigned incredulity at any offence taken, and all of it part of an incessant niggle that's as cheap as a Kilkenny county football final ticket.

The remarkable thing is that it doesn't register anymore. It's become par for the GAA course. It is the exception rather than the rule if a sub doesn't run on and automatically bullock into his marker, roaring in their ear, presumably about their mother's well-being, and generally shaping to let everyone know they're "there"."

Players do privately outline stories about abuse and physical assault which makes one wonder why they bother to play at all, never mind sacrificing the best years of their lives to voluntarily put up with thuggery at its lowest.

Claims of racism over the years grab headlines but physical and verbal abuse of all kinds are still routinely categorised under "one of those things", a ridiculous state of affairs made even more stupid by being part of an even greater bullshit culture which dresses this stuff up in cod-psychological, self-regarding garbage that the GAA specialises in.


Kilkenny are the masters

Gaelic games is still blighted by this alright (especially compared to other field sports).serious bitchiness at club level.  As Pat Spillane and Colm O'Rourke would say; its 'Tuggery!'

It would suit the Derry fans better to concentrate on how well their county team has begun this season instead of continually analysing incidents that occurred during their two meetings with tyrone. If I were a Derry fan I would be more than pleased with the way Barton and co seem to have instilled a bit of bite back into the jersey after so many years of mediocrity. I didn't hear tony scullion whinging about mcnamee, McCann etc. just be glad that your county are back performing better than they have done for quite some years and that tyrone v Derry games are now like those in the 90's.

Amen to that. Ok, so there were a few dodgy incidents on both sides. Get over it! paralysis by analysis and he said she said saids.  Tyrone are a solid team and these games will stand a developing Derry team in good stead going forward.

Its hilarious to read all these anti-barton rantings. While i admit, the distance to travel to manage seems excessive, i'd like to make a few in defence of.

Im sure many of these haters havn't played too much football themselves over the years let alone representing their county for 20 years and carrying a poor club team for as long as he did.

It is clear that Barton has improved every team he's been with. Ballinderry were a major force with him but folded on the big day two years in succession against a top Bellaghy. They were always good enough to win an all-ireland (as were the bellaghy team that beat them!). He does deserve major credit for developing that team. a year later McIver walked in and they went all the way. These things happen.     He also took Jordanstown to a sigerson final i think ???Donaghmore too have faired well from his influence. As for the Loup, i don't think he was really there long enough to do anything. Having met Barton on a number of occasions I believe he's totally passionate about GAA.

In the local scene, there are too many folk with too many chips on their shoulders/personal grievances with Barton. probably because in his day he was a genuinly skilled
player. He took a lot of abuse physically on the pitch, (people out to 'do him'). What makes people dislike him is that he usually ended up totally outplaying them , and/or putting them on their arse! (Glenullin etc! lol  )

anyways, wish him good luck.  All the money in the world wouldnt persuade me to be a GAA manager (way to much hasstle!) Newbridge/derry fan