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Although it is eleven days since the All Ireland Quarter Finals in Thurles I cannot let this matter rest. It has taken me a while to get in contact with some other people who were witness to the events outlined below. The issue concerns the despicable and unacceptable behaviour of a tiny minority of Limerick 'supporters' under the scoreboard on the Town End Terrace on the day in question - Sunday July 19th. On the day in question there was a good mix on the terrace of supporters from all four participating counties. I have been attending inter county games since 1977, and have travelled all over the country to support my county. As with all games I have seen over the years, there is a always a bit of banter and harmless fun between rival supporters, but thankfully, as is always the case in my experience, there has never been anything sinister or harmful.



However, the behaviour of a tiny section of Limerick supporters on this occasion shocked not only myself, but the people around me. Four friends and myself arrived on the Town End Terrace at one o' clock, exactly one hour before the start of the first semi- final between Limerick and Wexford. I met up with my cousin under the scoreboard who had travelled with his 9 year old daughter and his friend. At around 1:30, a group of what would eventually become a group of 25-30 Limerick 'supporters' aged in their late teens or early twenties began to filter in. One or two of the early arrivals from the group were clearly intoxicated, and engaged what we hoped at first was just a bit of youthful exuberance.



It quickly transpired that these guys were out for a day of non-stop chanting and bodhran beating that was energised by cans of Carling black label pulled from rucksacks along with apple cider that I only recognised when I witnessed a member of the Gardai pouring the contents out behind the walkway at the Town End Terrace. That was the queue for me to inform the Garda that there were plenty of more cans going around. He asked me if they were spilling it on people and I was not able to confirm that they were. I took from this that he had obviously apprehended somebody spilling beer from the can he confiscated. In fairness to the Garda and the stewards on the terrace in our vicinity, they had a difficult enough task as it was to steward the vast crowd who wanted to see the games, and to my mind they performed a most difficult task admirably.



There was an obvious smell of cannabis coming from the group also. The most disturbing act of all was the nature of the drink fuelled chanting that continued incessantly throughout the Limerick v Wexford game. What was striking was how chanting that one would normally associate with English football games, were adapted in 'support' of the Limerick hurling team. It did not bother anyone to hear renditions of 'Sean South of Garryowen' or indeed the celebration of certain players on the Limerick hurling team….



However, when Lee Chin on the Wexford team was clearly referred to in racist slurs, it is a different and more serious matter completely. I, along with all other people around me were disgusted and ashamed to say the least. Such was the volume of the crowd, that it is most unlikely that thankfully this chanting would have audible down at pitch level. My only regret is that I did not have the technology to record the incident. Continues on Part 2 Sliotharyslope (Wexford) - Posts: 134 - 07/08/2014 14:43:24 1633000 Link 0

Part 2 of original



Sliotharyslope

County: Wexford

Posts: 7







This whole issue of racism reared its head a few years ago and thankfully it appears to have been dealt with. However, there is still the potential (as we have witnessed) for racism to rear it's ugly head on the terraces. In all there were about 12-15 chants that were relentlessly recited. There was absolutely no let up what so ever, as when half of the group did pause for breath or a another swig of beer the other half would keep the chorus going. My cousin's 9 year old daughter was absolutely terrified. and we had to keep reassuring her that she would be OK as we stood either side of her. Nobody, least of a child of such tender years should have to endure such behaviour at a GAA game and indeed anywhere. At half time my cousin, his daughter and his friend moved away to another section of the terrace in the interests of the safety and well being of the child. It was during the half time period that one of the group, a lad of no more than about 18-19 years of age came straight up beside me and began shouting 'Sheep shagger' in my ear. What could I do but sit there and endure it until he realised I was not going to be affected by his mental abuse. Myself and my four traveling companions moved to another part of the terrace at half time, and although, separated from my cousin and his 9 year old daughter, enjoyed a much more peaceful second half. I have subsequently been talking to some other Wexford supporters who I met on the day and who were standing directly in front of the same section of the Limerick 'supporters'. They endured a much worse experience than ourselves. In all they totaled four people ( names and addresses available if required) 2 adults (m ale and female) and 2 children. The male adult was hit on the head 3 times with a beer can and the female adult had a glass bottle smashed at her feet. Of the 2 children, 1 was a Spanish student who was forced against a barrier on the terrace bruising his arm, while the other child (the 12 year old daughter of the 2 adults) asked her parents what the Limerick supporters meant by 'Wexford girls are easy'!. All of these people were sprayed with beer from cans that looked like that contained contained Coca Cola but actually contained alcohol, a fact confirmed when they were sprayed with the alcohol. These people were able to confirm the racial abuse directed at Lee Chin. In all my years attending GAA games across the county I, nor anybody else that I know, have encountered anything so intimidating. We all know that 99.9% of GAA fans from all counties are decent, respectable people. But this tiny majority of idiots should not be allowed to spoil the occasion for anybody else. I am from Wexford, and on the day we were soundly beaten by the an excellent Limerick team and there are no sour grapes on our part - you win some, you lose some that's the nature of sport. As a Wexford supporter we have had many disappointments, but also we have had some very good days down the years. Indeed if Wexford were drawn to play on Tory Island in January I would do my level best to get there, as indeed I'm sure Limerick fans would also.I would like to think that this is an isolated incident, and I would hate to think that these people will continue to do a disservice to themselves, the good people of Limerick in general, to the GAA, and to our great games. I decided to right to the top and inform Croke Park as I know you how seriously you treat such incidents. I am also aware from my countless visits to the great stadium down the years how well policed and stewarded Croke Park is. That is in no way a reflection on the excellent job the Gardai and stewards performed on a very busy day in Semple Stadium.I will be contacting my county chairman about this matter and perhaps the media also as I would hate to think that another child or indeed any supporter from any county should have to endure such despicable behaviour in future. Administrator (None) - Posts: 2227 - 07/08/2014 15:14:51 1633029 Link 0

Well I was standing on the Killanin End terrace, thankfully only pleasant experiences with supporters from all counties- the only sour note for me was the shocking ignorance of the announcer in the 1st half, roaring out a substitution just as Paul Ryan was lifting the sliotar to strike a 65.



One thing I did notice however is overt smoking and drinking going on, and perhaps they were more pro-active on your side, but every Garda and steward that I saw throughout the afternoon spent it enjoying the pleasure of getting paid to watch hurling, as they did not lift a finger on a single occasion to do anything about it. Tough job alright. an tseabhac (Kerry) - Posts: 441 - 07/08/2014 15:31:02 1633038 Link 0

An absolute disgrace Sliotharyslope. While it may have been a section of tanked up Limerick fans (and I use the word loosely) it could probably be the support of any county truth being told as we all have our fair share of eejits who go to games to 'support'. As for the situation you found yourself in, firstly I admire your restraint in the face of obvious provocation from the lad who came up to you as this is a situation which could have escalated had you decided to take matters in to your own hands and God knows what the end game would have been - I have to say I would probably have hit first and asked later but that probably wouldn't have helped the situation. With regards to what more you could have done I don't think there was really anything to be honest as you are not there to police/steward the crowd but how it was let get to the stage it did is a bit worrying. If they had drink and it was that obvious that they were firstly intoxicated and secondly going down the abusive road then why were the Garda not there to intervene and remove them? Its interesting on the back of the story earlier in the week about the removal of the banner how quick action can be taken but maybe a couple of lads sitting with a banner are an easy target compared to a few potentially volatile characters though if this is the stance then it doesn't say much for those who are there to ensure the safety of the patrons at the game.



One thing for sure is, if we are serious about attracting all the different nationalities living on this Island to our games then this is something that needs to be dealt with and nipped in the bud now. Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 3976 - 07/08/2014 15:44:59 1633052 Link 0

Disgraceful behaviour and it certainly should not be tolerated by the authorities, or have to be endured by decent supporters at our games. I would suggest a policy of non admittance for those under the influence, and furthermore searching of bags and non admittance of people found attempting to bring alcohol into a GAA ground. bryanadams (Kildare) - Posts: 733 - 07/08/2014 15:54:52 1633060 Link 0

Had similar experience with Limerick supporters at quarter finals 4/5 years ago. Spitting and abusing and throwing stuff at Dubs and Waterford and Galway supporters. hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 07/08/2014 16:00:36 1633064 Link 0

Firstly, I was on the terrace which was oversold! Safety hazard.



Secondly eejits with cans should be ejected from the stadium.



Thirdly, heard Sherlock getting racially abused on more than one occasion. Disgusting behaviour no matter what county was involved. Copy that post and send it to the Limerick County board. It's not their fault but a proud county like Limerick will want to know about poor fan behaviour. Again it's hard for counties to police. The only good thing is these idiots will have to apply for tickets to clubs for the latter rounds. JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1760 - 07/08/2014 16:34:58 1633077 Link 0

Terrible stuff but unfortunately there are a small number of scumbags in every county. Brolly (Monaghan) - Posts: 4472 - 07/08/2014 16:51:22 1633089 Link 0

Some of the ones I was referring to were wearing club tops Jay! Not going to mention the club as I am sure they are not representative of them.



Nor do I deny that we have our own eijits although thankfully there seems few of them thse times. hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 07/08/2014 16:53:14 1633091 Link 0

sadly its not just Limerick that have these supporters I think you'll find them in every county, the lads who come for a day out when the team are going well and the weather is fine. I have said it before people should not be allowed in if they appear drunk and should be ejected if the are found to be drunk inside the ground. Rosineri1 (UK) - Posts: 1943 - 07/08/2014 17:19:40 1633107 Link 0

Every county has its share of bad eggs, unfortunately, and that sort of behaviour is unacceptable. The reason it continues is very simple - it is not policed. If the troublemakers were ejected by the Gardai for any of the number of laws broken (drinking in a public place, smoking prohibited substances, threatening behaviour, racial abuse etc.) and this practice was implemented in all cases brought to Garda attention, then it'd very quickly be eradicated. This sort of behaviour would result in arrest if carried out on the high street but, unfortunately, it seems that enjoying the perk of watching a game is more important to some Gardai than carrying out the job for which they're paid in the first place. Kurt_Angle (Dublin) - Posts: 534 - 07/08/2014 17:37:36 1633114 Link 0

Yep. This is nothing new I'm afraid, and its not confined to one county. I remember being in the terrace myself a few years ago in Thurles for a game against Cork, and the abuse some of my own county "men" shouted at Sean Og (O Hailpin) was shameful, I was disgusted. And it was the same crew as described above, a vocal minority of drunk abusive young idiots.



Whats the solution to this blight? Well, ultimately, it might be for their own crowd to turn on them, and shame them into stop doing what they were doing.

However, when you're dealing with drunk troglodytes, who live in a country where there is little consequence for violent behavior, easier said than done. Its impossible to reason with people that tanked up. But we should try, and when we see someone standing up to abusive bullies like these, we should try and support the people trying to do the right thing, and not just pretend to ignore it.



A huge first step would be for us to not tolerate people being out of their heads at matches. If your clearly inebriated, you shouldn't be allowed in. The terraces, in Thurles especially, are too unsafe for that kind of thing. And we'll drive alot of people away from our games if we don't get a handle on this racist chanting. Its really disgusting, its the worst type of behavior, and I really hate it. And I think most people would feel the same. Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1765 - 07/08/2014 17:47:03 1633121 Link 0

we have all been to games where the abuse turns the air blue, we could go on and on, not just rascist remarks, very personal remarks aimed at players..i have never seen anything done about it..and hard to police..but in saying that, unfortunately there are scum everywhere, that need alcohol to give them courage! sob (Meath) - Posts: 492 - 07/08/2014 19:06:13 1633156 Link 0

As others have said, intoxicated fans, especially those who are clearly underage, should be refused entrance to matches. Simple. Don't the Gardai meet with GAA officials before these big games, does the issue of how to deal with intoxicated and abusive fans not come up? What do they talk about, their favourite colour? ballydalane (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1095 - 07/08/2014 21:21:40 1633221 Link 0

This is a disgrace and has to be stamped out. Therea re rascists and idiots in every county. Its up to the GAA to have stewards and Gardai there to police it. Also a naming and shaming policy could be used or else banning from games. There is no place for it. Sad that it happens in the 21st century but as I said there are idiots who go to mathces for the drink only who wouldnt know one end of a hurley to another and just want to roar and drink for the game. Limerick is not alone in this and the GAA should have a national plan for it and not just a save face operation Fishermantom (Limerick) - Posts: 569 - 07/08/2014 21:47:09 1633237 Link 0

Yeah, the fact that it was this particular county makes no difference. It's a societal problem. I mean like above I have heard Kildare fans shout things at Jayo down through the years. I would've told them to cop on but others were laughing like they were at a stand-up comedy show. Drink is not an excuse or a cause sadly. This is just lads trying to outdo each other with bravado, bigotry and outrageous behaviour.



It's not about the GAA. If they weren't on the terrace they'd be "showing off" shouting at someone on the street. It's harder to police when they're in a crowd and it's only by a significant number of the crowd turning on them that they'll stop. Like I said it's a society problem and it requires a societal type solution. When these people are made to realise what they're doing is the lowest of the low then they'll cop on. You still need a few brave souls to turn around and start off shutting them up first though. doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 07/08/2014 21:56:01 1633248 Link 0

Disgusting. The GAA needs to tackle this issue vigorously through ad campaigns etc. They ned to get high profile players involved because I reckon this will become a bigger issue soon. It's not just Limerick fans or Dublin fans. Unfortunately racist abuse seems to be an issue in many sports including soccer. Also.we need to get pro-active on homophobic abuse also. I can remember being on the Hill at the ALL-Ireland in 20111 and certain individuals were shouting homophobic insults at a well known player.

It's appalling, stupid and cowardly behavior- unfortunately , however, I'm not surprised. avonali (Dublin) - Posts: 1286 - 08/08/2014 08:40:23 1633254 Link 0

I dont think there is any relevance to what county they are from to be honest, every county has its fair share of idiots, some more so than others fair enough. I was on the same terrace that day and have to say in regards to the Limerick supporters directly surrounding me they were a pleasure to watch the match with. A bit of banter and all that but compared to watching games alongside some other counties fans I have to say the Limerick fans were as sound as ye could get.



While i didnt hear any of the alleged chanting i did witness plenty of all the other activity. I saw an old man drenched by a can of cider, i saw a mam and dad move their kids away to another area as their daughter ended up with both beer and fag ash in her hair etc. I dont know about anyone else but i dont recall seeing a Garda any where close to the terrace that day, nor did i see anyone checking bags or anything that day.



That then brought me back to the debates here before the game and the ticket fiasco. I didnt bring my dad and kids to the game thank god but there were plenty on here giving it loads about how the terraces are fine for kids and older people. Im sorry but they arent and that day proved it for me so i hope its a lesson learned when it comes to ticketing big games going forward. tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 836 - 08/08/2014 09:03:16 1633260 Link 0

Sliotharyslope - Firstly kudos to you and your fellow supporters for now reacting...I would not have stood for a can hitting mine or anyone around me head or glass being smashed at feet. I would have sent the young lad into the middle of next week.



Sadly I have seen loutish behaviour at GAA games or more so in the lead up. Years ago there was issues with "some" young Mayo supporters travelling to Mayo ladies games who got drunk on trains to Dublin and fighting started. We also had fans on a Tipp special train a number of years back breaking windows on the train. A train from Castlebar to Dublin also had to be stopped a number of years back with a few Dublin fans kicked off. In fairness Irish rail clamped down on it and no drink is allowed on trains for specials anymore which is sad for the majority who can drink without making an ass of themselves.



Ive also seen minority fans abusing Luas security staff....some not teenagers and how are they any better from the drunks and louts who hang about abbey street every day of the week? Now I love to drink but it does not turn me into a racist lout who want's to start a fight like most people.



It is a wider issue today of people becoming more violent in general and we can sadly see this in minority cases at GAA games. It needs to stop though before it becomes a wider issue. I have never heard or seen crowd trouble at a GAA game? Hopefully it never happens. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 10188 - 08/08/2014 09:17:23 1633267 Link 0