Ulster chiefs will act quickly on Cunningham abuse claims
The province’s officials intend reaching a swift conclusion to their inquiry into Crossmaglen forward Aaron Cunningham’s claim that he was the subject of racist comments during their victory over Kilcoo in Armagh’s Athletic Grounds.
Kilcoo have said they will co-operate fully with the council’s process.
Ulster chairman Aogan Farrell said: “Our rules are very, very clear. It’s conduct unbecoming of a member of the Association and that can incur a minimum of eight weeks or a maximum of a lifetime ban.”
Anti-racist charity Show Racism the Red Card yesterday welcomed the Ulster Council’s quick response to the reported incidents.
Cunningham’s father Joey, who himself was subject to racist abuse while playing soccer for Portadown in the 1980s and 90s, said he was taken aback that his son had suffered it at a GAA game.
“I’m actually more shocked now than I’ve probably ever been at any stage in my playing career,” Cunningham said yesterday.
“In the Irish League, every single week I got it, but to be honest it didn’t bother me one single bit.
“I just played my football and I tried to answer them on the pitch and I think most times I did that.
“Life has just moved on and in Gaelic football, you just don’t expect this, you really don’t.”
Cunningham expressed his pride in his son’s restraint in the face of the alleged incendiary comments directed at him.
“I’m very proud that he held his head and that he didn’t let himself down. He stayed on the field he didn’t do anything silly, which is what the other team were probably hoping for.”
He also revealed Kilcoo supporters admitted to him their shame at the conduct of their representatives.
“I had a number of people from Kilcoo come to me at the end of the match and to be honest with you they were embarrassed, they were apologising and that will tell you in itself that this did happen.”
GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell also backed the Ulster Council’s determination to address the issue.
“We know that there can be no tolerance for racism within our games but there is an onus on everyone involved to be active in preventing abuse through education.
“Through our long association with Show Racism the Red Card we are part of that process with players acting as ambassadors and role models for education campaigns such as the GAA’s ‘Give Respect Get Respect Initiative’.
Show Racism The Red Card’s Garrett Mullan called on the GAA to support a Wexford motion that will propose racial abuse be made a red card offence at March’s Congress in Derry.
“There can be no place for racism in the GAA and no place for racism in Irish society.
“It is now clearly an issue for the GAA and a programme including rule changes and education is now needed.”
