Ex-Donegal footballer Pauric McShea slams Kerry fans and media criticism of Jim McGuinness

The Central Competitions Control Committee are expected to propose further sanctions in the coming 36 hours following the melee during the Kerry and Donegal All-Ireland SFC game

Pauric McShea questioned the national attitude towards the rise of Donegal football. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Former Donegal footballer Pauric McShea has hit out at Kerry supporters for booing Michael Murphy, the national media’s criticism of Jim McGuinness’ push on Diarmuid O’Connor and Micheál Burns’ “cowardly punch” on Ryan McHugh.

Writing in his Donegal Live column, the two-time Ulster SFC winner condemned the widespread analysis of the half-time incident involving the Donegal manager.

“The national media deserve no credit for attempting to compare Donegal manager Jim McGuinness’ push on a Kerry player to an incident that deserves investigation,” remarked McShea.

“In a hostile atmosphere, any manager would have had a right to be seriously upset seeing Ryan McHugh with blood streaming down his face after a cowardly punch from a Kerry player.

“If that incident had taken place off the pitch, the offending player would have faced an assault charge. The Kerry supporters, booing every time Michael Murphy got the ball – and that was very often – let themselves down with such petty behaviour.

“Michael gave them their answer by once again playing a hugely positive role in his team’s outstanding display.”

Former Donegal footballer Pauric McShea (left) said there is now an "enmity" rather than rivalry between his county and Kerry. Pic: Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile

McShea questioned the attitude towards Donegal and likened it to how Down made the breakthrough in the 1960s. 

“I have often noticed a strange dichotomy among GAA supporters whereby success by the great traditional counties in football is admired and supported at all times, but the arrival of new county teams to sup at the banquet of championship success is not so warmly welcomed.

“This, I believe, started when the great Down team got the better of Kerry in the 1960s and continued when Armagh and Tyrone also came out on top against the Kingdom.

“Now Donegal are a team who have beaten Kerry in their last three encounters, and it was no surprise to see some of Kerry’s best players looking seriously agitated before a ball was kicked in Killarney.

“Enmity, rather than rivalry, would be the best word to describe the dynamic between the counties.” 

The Central Competitions Control Committee are expected to propose further sanctions in the coming 36 hours. Burns will also learn if he is to serve a one or two-match ban for his sending off.