Messages

I am all for fair play and sportmanship in all sports. With all the talk about thuggery in the GAA recently I am surprised that there has been no mention of the Ciaran Mckeever act during the Cork game. [a serious coward in my book] and also the Kildare goalkeeper hitting Peter harte in the head with his knee when he had absolutely no need to do so.

Why did the referee not send Devlin off. he brought the game into disrepute letting in a goal like that.

Clarshack, it's not a media witch hunt.

As mentioned quite a few times on this thread, this kind of thing happens at least once a weekend somewhere in the country. It even happened with my own club two seasons ago. And we did what every club does in this situation, we closed ranks and wouldn't name names when asked by investigating officials.

What marks this incident out as different is that it happened in view of an independent cameraman.  Which means there is accurate coverage of a disgraceful scene, and the GAA have a rare opportunity to do something meaningful about it. There is no witch hunt, but for once, simple, clear and obvious evidence of serious transgression.

In my mind Dromid are equally culpable in this mess - but as they have nothing to lose in the competition anymore, by nature they can be more forthright and honest about the scenes than Derrytresk can be. Any admission of guilt by Derrytresk runs a chance of player suspensions, and even competition disqualification - so they're now sh1t scared and paranoid, and are backing into a corner.

My recommendation for resolution is simple enough. Leave the actual players alone; that's for the referee to handle, and if he wants to cite those players he can - but he won't. The GAA then freeze frames the video and asks the clubs to supply the names of each substitute, official and spectator identified in the melee. The actions of each of those people are then tracked through the footage, and if they're clearly aggressive, then they're banned from the next 3-10 Championship matches involving their club. This means the subs miss out on Championship football, and the spectators are physically banned from the arena. This, of course, punishes Derrytresk more than Dromid - but if Dromid had have won, that shoe would have been on the other foot.

If the clubs refuse to aid the investigation, they're simply removed from Championship football, this year and next.

This is not a hardline suggestion. It's simply a means of identifying those people who felt they could enter a sporting arena, and punishing them for doing so. And it would set a suitable precedent for handling such situations going forward.

Wobbler, your post is the only sensible, unhysterical one that I have heard since this whole saga started.

listen

[especially those just back from cruciate injuries and rushed back to play in a quarter final.]

What do people think of the attitude of the local grammar schools and the mccrory cup. I think  they overplay the significance for their own personal gain and sometimes to the detriment of the young players, especially those just back from cruciate injuries and rushed back to play in a quarter final.

Theres bound to be thousands of players like that wouldn't there be. 

Crossmaglen are the best team in Ulster no matter what the standard is in Armagh. Would they not agree however that the poor standard in Armagh is a great benefit to them as most county champions find it very difficult to negotiate ther hazards they meet in their own county.
I noticed that Culloville finished 6th in the Armagh senior league[thye 6th best team in Armagh]. And Craigbane of derry can beat them who are the 15th best team in Derry!

PS. How are Culloville eligible to play in the Ulster Intermediate championship?

Overthe post, you seem to know the rules quite well.[ are you a referee]. When does a referee decide on a tick or a yellow? The Crossmaglen Number 6 was ticked three times when he deliberately fouled a player preventing them from making progress in an attack. Could you explain please.

That would be my take on it HiMucker. Harney made a great catch, Mckenna punched him in the chest knocked him to the ground and then kicked him in the stones. harney reacted by throwing a loose arm which in my opinion didn't connect but by the laws of the game had to go but in the spirit of the game very unjust.
What annoyed me more were the actions of McKenna acting as if he had been shot and crying like a big womans blouse. I thought crossmaglen men were tougher than that.

Watched it on Television, Harneys first offence, a yellow at most, his second a yellow but Mckenna should be ashamed of himself, the size of him lying down crying when he wasn't touched. If kernan was to be booked, it had to be red even it was at the low level of red.

I am curious to know if any of the posters on this thread are on their club committees and how they have dealt with similiar situations in their own club. We all know and is often stated on here that all clubs have them but no one has ever said what action they have taken against these "supporters" at club level.

Now I know my own club have been involved in rows but we are not high profile enough to get BBC news but ones in the club say such and such should be dealt with but they never are as their brothers play on the senior team or their mother makes tea after games and it would cause a big split in club.

So back to my question. Is there any posters out there brave enough to say. What club they are from? What happened? How did they deal with it at club level? Has discipline improved in their club as a result of the action? Where there any negative consequences?

[plays "on the edge "]

every great team plays "on the edge "it's the difference between winning and losing. Ballinderry were the best team in Ireland nigh on 10 years ago. Do you think they had 15 men with halo's playing ??

Jealousy is a wonderful thing. In 1997, the whole of the north would have backed Cross in their AI campaign. Now there is a lot of jealousy and bitterness towards them. I will back Bderry on Sunday, cause as i have said before i have friends and family there.

I know not one person personally in Crossmaglen but if Cross win, i hope they go on and win the AI. Best club side ever in ireland.

Could someone explain to me in a little more detail, what playing on the edge is.

Are the rules not the same for every team.

Everything that is said is true but that Mallie boy should take the spud out of his mouth.
Remember Logan before he got the sack from UTV talking about our wee team at Windsor Park.

As a Derry man who suffered severe defeats at the hands and defeats of these two boys, I congratulate them and thank them for the hours of enjoyment they gave me watching them over the years.

I find it difficult to understand those who try to degrade them by hauling up things they might have done on the pitch at times. Name a player who hasn't.

That game time sickens my hole as well hi.

Ex-Scotland Yard's John Yates who resigned over hacking scandal





Former great Rosscommon manager John Maughan

very good