Thuggery in sport is a result of boorish influences away from the pitch

It would be reassuring to take refuge in that marketing saw — “In Donegal, they do things differently” — but the situation that developed after an underage GAA match in the county last weekend has, unfortunately, echoes right across the country.

A referee, a volunteer giving his time freely for the good of his community, had to be locked in a dressing room for his safety after an U14 football final.