Time for GAA to revalue loyalty

Patrons. What a pseudo-whimsical word for spectators. In the world of sport, few others than the good folk at Augusta National every April and the GAA refer to theirs as such.

It’s used to empower the paying public, make them feel more than just an audience and at the same time holding them to a higher standard.

We’ve always believed patrons is how the two bodies would like to imagine those who congregate behind the 12th tee-box or fill the stands of Croke Park — encouraging and applauding good play, keeping a respectful silence at all other times, never wavering in demonstrating impeccable etiquette — not how they actually are.