Time to take Ker before it proves fatal

ULSTER GAA last night launched their ‘One Punch Can Kill’ initiative and former Armagh star Aaron Kernan warned players nationwide that it’s time to take action.

A series of violent clashes at club championships have circulated in recent weeks with footage of brawls in Derry, Tyrone, Down, Cork and Kerry doing serious damage to the image of the game as well as sparking fears that it will end in tragedy.

At a meeting in Slaughtneil last night the Ulster Council warned of the serious dangers ex-armagh and Crossmaglen Rangers captain Kernan has also spoken out and warned it could result in someone being killed.

“The reality is that it could happen and I don’t think we need to wait until there is a fatality on a playing field or in the stands,” he said.

“This is the game we love and brings pride to our communities. As adults we need to take a step and realise what we’re doing. The more it happens, the higher the likelihood that the ultimate would happen.

“I didn’t think it was happening as frequently as it seems to be popping up now. It is nationwide. I’ve seen footage from Kerry and Cork and they are not good to look at,” he told BBC.

“I know at times we try to brush it off and blame other people but, as players, we need to start taking responsibility because it’s not nice to look at, we’re all to blame, this isn’t one province issue, one county issue.”