Teenage gurriers deserve to get the red card
Back in Clonakilty that night, one would think that it was we who had won the Andy Scannell Cup, such was the great mood around the streets and in the hostelries.
While everyone was naturally disappointed that victory had eluded the Clon players, we were, as always, still in the mood to party.
However, this party atmosphere was marred during the evening when I believe a small number of young people decided to throw eggs and insults at cars being driven by Castlehaven supporters as they made their return journey from the match.
I didn’t witness this behaviour, but several people mentioned it to me during the evening, and again on Monday.
Each one of them was very angry and deeply embarrassed that this loutish behaviour had occurred in Clonakilty.
That the targets were supporters of the team that beat Clonakilty earlier that day suggests that it was planned in advance, and this makes it all the more appalling and inexcusable.
At the risk of being accused of blowing the incidents out of proportion, I cannot help but think of the all-Ireland winning supporters from the Six Counties whose vehicles have suffered a similar fate from loyalists as they return home across the border from Croke Park in September.
One person told me that these were young teenagers, and they were approached by a couple of adults to stop but only got verbal abuse in return. I think I speak for everyone in Clonakilty when I say that these gurriers represented no one last Sunday night.
Their appalling behaviour is an embarrassment to their town, the GAA and the Clon players, the vast majority of teenagers, and most likely also their own parents and families. I’m sure that those Castlehaven supporters who suffered the brunt of this behaviour also know that this is not typical of the sporting people of Clonakilty.
These actions are inexcusable and should never occur again, regardless of the occasion. We cannot allow a handful of yobbos to sully the good name of our community. I appeal to anyone with any information as to the identity of these thugs to report them to the local gardaí.
Cllr Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin,
An Gallán,
Cloich na Coillte,
Co Chorcaí.
