The banning of a supporter for 5 years for threatening behaviour at a minor hurling semi final in Wexford would seem justifiable but how on earth is that to be policed.? The answer is it can't be. What's to stop this "fan" from attending games almost everywhere he or she wishes. Will they have a photograph pinned up at every turnstile in every ground? Of course not. Even if they did all he or she has to do is wear a hat pulled well down and a pair of glasses. This would result in no penalty at all. The only way to punish this person is for the garda to get involved. They are the law enforcers and it is a crime to threaten somebody wherever that happens.
The gaa know full well that it would be impossible to police but have to be seen to say something. Lip service is what it amounts to. In fairness there is really nothing the gaa can do except impose a ban.
A ban that simply won't work. The offending person will just laugh all the way to the next match.

Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 386 - 16/10/2023 19:57:29    2508738

For anyone who doesn't know, refers to story at https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2023/10/16/wexford-underage-board-propose-10-year-ban-on-following-alleged-threats-of-referee/
link

Unfortunately, Magpie is correct that such bans are unenforceable. Even if a volunteer gateperson (and remember, they're all volunteers) recognises that man trying to gain entry to a match sometime, and tells him 'you're not allowed in', that gateperson is put in an unfair and impossible position if the man then becomes argumentative and threatening.

Am not sure it's appropriate to fine clubs in such cases either. A club has little or no control over what 'supporters' go to matches.

The GAA authorities here clearly had to do something, and what they've done sends out a strong message....but unfortunately, it's likely that it'll only be a message, because it's not a punishment that can actually be properly enforced.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2621 - 17/10/2023 11:06:34    2508783

These points are all true, but there's little else the GAA can do. If something is a criminal matter, then that's for the Gardaí to handle. The GAA can't tell them what to do.
At top-level sport these bans can be managed, International matches, All-Ireland finals, English premiership etc.
But no matter what the sport, these bans can't be 100% enforced down at local level.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2187 - 17/10/2023 12:57:46    2508825

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3118 - 17/10/2023 13:51:55    2508838

Even a court order that somebody is banned from attending matches would be nigh on impossible to enforce.

You'd still be putting a volunteer gateperson in a difficult situation if they recognised the person and tried to refuse entry. They'd either have to call the Gardaí (and maybe wait a long time, particularly if the match was at a rural venue), or else have to photographic evidence that the person tried to get into the match.

There's also the consideration that many matches have no gatepeople at all. For instance, this one was at a minor semi-final. Here in Wexford, there are no gatepeople for any underage match at all, except the finals. Anybody at all can just walk in. Who then is going to take responsibility for telling the person that they shouldn't be there?

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2621 - 17/10/2023 14:48:11    2508852

A lot of the people involved in incidents like this are a special kind of specimen.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2085 - 17/10/2023 17:09:33    2508894

Its normal in present day Irish society to abuse someone or hit somebody on the street and nothing happen you so why wouldn't people expect to get away with it at sports fixtures as well .
Law and order has broken down in many parts of rural ireland and with all the closed and downgraded garda stations it's only going to get worse .

OpenStand (Limerick) - Posts: 717 - 17/10/2023 19:42:30    2508934

Yeah banning them doesn't really work. I think some sort of fines system might work better. I'm not sure if it's the same in the GAA, but I know in Donegal Junior League soccer, teams are fined for bookings, red cards and other disciplinary issues.

If clubs started to get fined for the behaviour of their supporters, based off match officials reports. e.g. say some eejit comes on to the field of play and starts to intimdate a ref (or worse) then that ref could duly report the individual. Pass the onus on to the clubs to encourage a better culture and an intolerance towards poor behaviour.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9518 - 18/10/2023 12:10:32    2509015

another ref incident today. this time at the end of Tullamore vs Summerhill

When will we see proper change?

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3674 - 22/10/2023 19:55:17    2509668

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3875 - 23/10/2023 08:28:45    2509713

Another little ****bag pushing a referee to the ground yesterday after tullamore v summerhill, disgrace

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13654 - 23/10/2023 08:38:50    2509714

What punishment would you suggest killingfields?

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1916 - 23/10/2023 09:08:51    2509722

The guy is clearly identifiable.

If he is a coach with a club - he should be suspended from that, along with attending any games.

But a financial fine should also be imposed on him.

Time to set an example and cut this type of stuff out.

A minor assault charge is stretching it a bit, but wouldnt it send out the right message.

An apology is no good.

Delighted it was caught on camera and people will know exactly who acted the big man....

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3975 - 23/10/2023 09:43:02    2509731

This guy is clearly a player of some description not togged on the day. Time to put new rules in place. An assault charge is not taking things too far. It will lay down a marker and stop this from happening. People will think twice if there are serious consequences.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8155 - 23/10/2023 10:36:41    2509755

How do you impose a fine on someone who may not even be a member of the Association? Be realistic.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1916 - 23/10/2023 10:37:09    2509756

drumalee11 (USA) - Posts: 329 - 23/10/2023 10:38:36    2509757

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1879 - 23/10/2023 10:41:11    2509758

10k fine to the club 20k fine to offaly gaa. Guaranteed nor to happen again

Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1661 - 23/10/2023 10:54:09    2509765

Another absolutely shameful incident. What is even more shameful is the number of people online trying to justify the push by saying 'what do you expect when a referee changes his mind'. Lads, the referee is allowed to change his mind as long as he doesn't restart play. The ignorance of some people when it comes to GAA rules is honestly baffling. The correct decision was arrived at and the referee gets assaulted. A sad state of affairs if this lad isn't given a 5 year ban as an absolute minimum.

Monaghansclown (Monaghan) - Posts: 187 - 23/10/2023 11:02:51    2509770

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1954 - 23/10/2023 11:06:18    2509772