Longford’s Michael Quinn warns that GAA sledging is worse than Aussie Rules

Former Aussie Rules player Michael Quinn says he was called ‘milk bottle’ and ’pasty’ by rival AFL players but claimed sledging is still worse in the GAA.

The Longford footballer spent three seasons with AFL side Essendon before returning home in late 2011.

He’s been a key player for Longford since and said that the amount of verbal abuse in both codes is similar.

Crucially, he said that the comments passed by GAA players can be far more cutting as players are regularly aware of opponents’ personal lives.

“There was a good bit of it in the AFL too but it’s probably more so here because guys know more about each other,” said Quinn.

“It’s such a small community in the GAA that guys know more personal matters about each other and what’s going on off the field, and that’s all brought into it.

“It’s part of the game, it’s not a nice part of the game. Does it need to be clamped down on? It probably does.

“The 50-metre penalty is something that exists in the AFL for back answering or not giving the ball back. That’s a huge penalty in their game.

“Whether something like that could come into Gaelic football and benefit things, I think it probably would clamp down on things a good bit.”

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