Call for swift conclusion to racism probe

Ulster Council president Aogan Farrell has called for a swift conclusion to the investigation into the alleged racist abuse during the Ulster club final.

Farrell is hoping to receive an update from the investigating committee at a full meeting of the Ulster Council tomorrow night.

The Ulster Council chief insisted he is unaware if Down champions Kilcoo are cooperating fully with the inquiry into claims that one or more of their players racially abused Crossmaglen player Aaron Cunningham during the game at the Athletic Grounds 10 days ago.

“Possibly I will have an interim report (on Thursday),” he confirmed at the launch of the Power NI McKenna Cup last night.

“I don’t know if there will be a final one or not because I’m not allowed to interfere or contaminate the process and I won’t do that.

“I would like it to be swift in the interests of everybody.”

Since details of the alleged abuse suffered by Cunningham emerged, other players have come forward with claims of similar incidents that have happened in other counties.

Farrell doesn’t believe racism is prevalent within the game but added: “In a general way as a citizen of this country I’m disturbed when people are bullied or harassed or upset and it doesn’t matter who they are.”

Meanwhile, Farrell insisted there was nothing sinister about the no-show from college representatives at the Power NI McKenna Cup launch.

Queen’s University, Jordanstown and particularly St Mary’s are aggrieved that some county team managers are putting pressure on some players to line out with their county during the competition in January.

“There will be 12 teams in the McKenna Cup, we have applications from 12 teams and 12 teams will take part, as far as I’m aware,” said Farrell.

The Ulster Council’s CCC will know tomorrow night whether county teams are going to include students on their McKenna Cup squads.

While stating he has not met with county team managers — who arguably have the final say in who the students will play for — he has made a direct appeal to the nine county chairmen to ensure that the rules of the competition are adhered to.

“I have not been talking to any county manager.

“Our jurisdiction is with the county boards and I have met the county chairmen and I have appealed to them that they should take charge of their county boards.

“The county board chairmen should be calling the shots in our counties.

“It’s players I have sympathy with. I think it’s very unfair that players would ever be put in that position of having to choose (between college and county). The majority of them aren’t, but from what I’m hearing that appears to be happening in some cases.”