GAA security getting in way of fans

FOR just over 20,000 fans who strolled in to Pairc Uí Chaoimh on that (awful) Munster Football Finals Day, they were unexpectedly greeted by some security people.

A look of surprise was written across patrons faces, but they walked on, having fun, and quick words of banter with opposing fans.

When the full-time whistle finally blew, everyone ploughed on to the field as usual. According to some fans, they were quickly told to get back to their seats, and before anyone could catch of glimpse of the trophy, the security folks formed a tight barricade around the tunnel.

However, what in my opinion, was worse, was when we were told “get off the pitch” and had to retreat back towards the terraces. Of course, my father and I were much too lazy, so I decided to take the shortcut through the tunnel, gently squeezing between the man-made barricade. We then had to squeeze through another barricade which blocked the dressing rooms. I later joked ‘did the World Cup squads arrive unknown to us?’ Unfortunately, no. They were the same heroes of the GAA who believe everyone should meet their heroes and encouraging interaction between spectators and players. Thanks to the GAA and the Munster Council this idea was soon forgotten about.

Have the GAA really gone money mad? Yes, tickets were €30-plus with programmes €5, but I don’t want my money going towards security companies stopping everyone from celebrating together. I don’t want to fund an organisation who, to be honest, have just turned into a money driven organisation.

The GAA was always about bringing communities, fans and so on together in a controlled fun environment.

Has this idea gone out the window now that there are economic troubles? Sport is the one thing people have in moments of tough and troubling times. I, for one, have fallen in love with the organisation that brought me into a welcoming community and to be honest, that’s how I got up and going and meeting people — through the GAA.

It upsets me now to see the GAA don’t trust supporters to mix and mingle, and they now need security to make sure there are no hooligans. I ask you, where are these hooligans?

So to the GAA, rethink your strategies. Or else, like a lot of things you fall in love with, you easily fall back out of love and move on to something else.