GAA president O’Neill saddened by continued sideline abuse of young players

GAA president Liam O’Neill lamented that sideline abuse of young players remains a problem.

O’Neill admits huge strides have been made in terms of underage competitions.

But he stressed that much more needs to be done in terms of how those outside the white lines act.

“We established Go Games, we have looked after our U6’s, U8’s, U10’s and U12’s.

“I worry, however, from speaking to coaches at Féile competitions that people will look back on us and say we shouted at kids in 2014. We really have to look at that.

“If you shout at a child from the sideline it denigrates their self-esteem. It takes 20 positive comments to bring that child back up to where they were. We are shouting at them and we think this is right. We are shouting at them when they make a mistake and can’t rectify it. It is a silly exercise. Nobody likes being shouted at.”