Donegal warn of segregation threat
The former Donegal team boss was speaking at Wednesday night’s convention in Ballybofey after a turbulent year in the north west, when scenes from club games were marred by violence.
In Donegal, a mass brawl erupted following a club championship first round fixture between Naomh Conaill of Glenties and Glenswilly in July involved up to 50 people, according to eye-witnesses.
County footballer Leo McLoone, who plays for Naomh Conaill, required surgery on a serious facial injury after breaking two bones in his eye socket, and missed Donegal’s Ulster championship win.
Across the border in Tyrone, there were similarly unruly scenes last month in an All-County League Division One final between Carrickmore and Dromore. Fights broke out on the pitch and between rival sets of supporters.
In June, two people were left unconscious following a senior ladies’ county final in Beragh near Omagh. Referee Simon Brady was knocked unconscious after he awarded a free that was converted by St Macartan’s of Augher to defeat Carrickmore. Martin Conway, Tyrone ladies’ football chairman, was also knocked out amid violent scenes as he went to help the ref.
“Indiscipline among players at club games and furthermore among officials and supporters has become an issue,” warned McGowan, who was re-elected chair.
“Are we going to have to insist on playing games to protect our players and official in secured grounds and are we going to have to segregate supporters, as is the case in other sports? I can assure you the gardaí and PSNI are making tentative inquires and observations on how the GAA manages its affairs in the province of Ulster.
“It is up to the association and we here in Donegal must take responsibility that this never happens and that we can always play our games at several venues and not just those pitches with maximum security playing areas.”
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