Protestant GAA player quits over sectarian abuse

A PROTESTANT GAA hurler and footballer has quit over sectarian abuse by rival players.

Darren Graham, 25, from Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, whose soldier father and two uncles were shot dead by the IRA, said he was hounded out because of his religion.

He vowed never to wear his club jersey again until he gets a full apology, after storming off a pitch in disgust at the years of alleged taunting.

Mr Graham said: “It just came to a head. Something bad (was said) on the field — ‘You’re a black c***.’ Then another ran by and said, ‘It’s the truth, you’re nothing but that.’”

The Lisnaskea Emmets hurler, who has represented his county at Under-21 level, is believed to be the only non-Catholic player in Fermanagh.

His decision to walk away is a major blow to the GAA’s efforts to widen its appeal and attract more Protestants. It was not until 2001 that a controversial ban on any members of North’s security forces joining the organisation was lifted.

Mr Graham, a joiner with a local timber frame company, was an unlikely Gaelic footballer.

He was only weeks old when his father, Cecil Graham, an Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) soldier, was shot dead by the IRA.

Two of his uncles, Ronnie and Jimmy Graham, who both served in the UDR, were also assassinated by the IRA.

But his religion and background never stopped him becoming involved from the age of 12.

“I just loved the sport. All my mates were going up to it and I just decided I wanted to play the sport. Everyone knew I was a Protestant,” he said.

It was only once he started to progress that the harassment began in earnest, he revealed.

Mr Graham, whose two-year-old daughter is being raised as a Catholic, said: “I’ve been getting it from opponents and supporters. It’s been happening up through the ranks, but not really bad until I got to senior level, when I was 18.

“It’s definitely because I’m a Protestant. I’ve been told Protestants shouldn’t be allowed in the GAA. I know it’s a minority, but it’s happening. Everybody knows it, but I never pushed it any higher.

“What’s the point? Nothing is going to be done about it.”

The abuse has been worst during Lisnaskea Emmets derby clashes, he added.

Finally, on Sunday, he walked off during a match against Brookeborough.

He warned such abuse could scare off other Protestant players.

Fermanagh County Board spokeswoman Deir-dre Donnelly said it could not comment on an individual case until an official complaint was made.

GAA representatives at Croke Park in Dublin pledged to launch a probe if any formal complaint was received.