Farrell questions GAA’s response to sectarian controversy

DESSIE FARRELL has questioned whether the GAA responded strongly enough to last week’s revelation that a Protestant inter-county player from Fermanagh was quitting the game after years of sectarian abuse.

GAA President Nickey Brennan responded to the decision by Linaskea’s Darren Graham by condemning sectarian abuse and inviting the player to a major match in Croke Park for discussions.

However Farrell feels more could, and should, be done.

“There needs to be strong line taken on it and you would have to ask the question as to whether there was a strong enough stand taken on it by the GAA. I don’t know. It remains to be seen as to what happens as a result of the complaint.

“It needs to be eradicated. Things have moved on in this day and age and you can’t have players turning their back on the game because of sectarian or racial abuse.”

The GPA is a partner of the ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ programme while the players’ body has come across some anecdotal evidence of racist abuse elsewhere in the country.

The Lisnaskea Emmets club and Fermanagh county board joined in the condemnation of the alleged sectarian abuse but said Graham had not made them aware of the matter.

However, Farrell feels that other channels should be made available to voice their concerns.

“The situation involves sensitivities on both sides. Maybe the club mightn’t be the best advocate of support for a particular individual. Maybe there should be an independent commission set up centrally by the GAA.

“There needs to be a role where a body could investigate such incidents. To be fair, the case last week was highlighted as an issue and the reaction from players and supporters was that it shouldn’t be happening.”

Meanwhile, the GPA is set to meet up with Sports Minister, Seamus Brennan, next month with the proposed €5m in grants for inter-county players to be top of the agenda.

Monday’s ‘Irish Examiner’ carried an editorial supporting the GPA’s efforts to secure the grants for its members but questioning why the funds should come from the taxpayers’ pocket at a time when the GAA is making vast sums through Croke Park every weekend.

“I’m sure the GAA would have something to say about that as well,” said Farrell. “It’s a no-no from the GAA’s perspective. They seem to have issues even with them administering the grants scheme.”

With the GAA still refusing to distribute the funds themselves, Farrell reiterated his opinion that the Sports Council could be utilised in much the same way as the Arts Council is in issuing funds to artists.

“It has dragged on five years now. What can you do except keeping pushing the boundaries and ensure that it comes to fruition eventually. If we had a magic wand it would be implemented straight away.”