Angry fans

Maybe it was the soaking to the skin so many of them got on Sunday in Semple Stadium, followed by the awful hurling inflicted on that hallowed sod, or maybe it’s because of yet another dreary Leinster football tie – this time, between Wicklow and Westmeath - or Donegal’s unexpected collapse against Ulster whipping boys Antrim... but, boy, the fans are really angry with everyone this week.

RTÉ’s coverage gets lashed even more than usual for their decision to stay live with the extra time in the Leinster football game rather than go over to Thurles to catch the start of the hurling match.     And talking about Thurles, neither Davy Fitz nor Just-In McCarthy escapes strong criticism from their supporters.

Angry fans raise serious, indeed hair raising, questions about crowd safety at Saturday’s Munster football replay between Cork and Kerry... and there’s lots more!

Get in touch:   Give your views and comments to An Fear Rua himself at GAA Angry Fans in ‘The Irish Examiner’    Just drop an email to [e-mail] and get AFR’s reaction to what you have to say.

If you make the ‘Comment of the Week’, we have a fabulous prize of exclusive ‘his and hers’ GAA t-shirts, supplied by our old pals at Puckout.com, where you can design your own club or county leisure wear.

SATURDAY’S HANDLING of the game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh was not something to be proud of.   There was a severe shortage of stewards, the tickets were on sale from rickety old caravans and the crowds were allowed to vacate the terrace and come into the tunnel during the rain.   There was a complete free for all for seats.  Once again, the Cork County Board prove their incompetence.

Cork Magic

AFR’S SHOUT:   Something serious will have to be done soon about Páirc Uí Chaoimh.    The real answer is that the place needs to be demolished and a properly-designed, safe, modern stadium built in its place.   Since that’s not likely to happen anytime soon, the Munster Council needs to voluntarily limit the number of spectators and greatly increase the level of stewarding.   Better to lose money in that way than to lose a single spectator’s life.   At the moment, the venue dishonours the memory of the incomparable Padraig Ó Caoimh.