Sherlock calls on GAA to act on racism and embrace current movement for change

JASON SHERLOCK says the racist abuse he suffered during his career may leave a life-long scar.

The ex-dublin star wants the GAA to embrace the current movement for change – to be pro-active in the fight against racism after several inter-county players spoke out about their own experiences in recent days.

Sherlock said: “It’s something you can’t really gauge. There’s no barometer.

“I remember every situation I had where I was slagged – be it by a player, a crowd, a manager. And that doesn’t leave you.

“You still harness all the self-doubt, all the anger, frustration, emotion. Us talking about this, if that can assist one boy or girl and makes things a bit better for them, it’s worth exploring and having the conversation.”

The All-ireland winner also played League of Ireland soccer and basketball for Ireland.

“I reacted and responded to things differently the older I got,” he told The Sunday Game last night.

“Part of this conversation is understanding if you’re on the receiving end of racism but also understanding if you potentially are curious or vindictive or you ask questions of people because of the colour of their skin.

“If we can understand the impact that can make, maybe it can change the behaviours of certain people – because that’s a lifetime, it’s a generation. That doesn’t leave you.”

Sherlock was the subject of a powerful 2018 documentary that revealed his struggle to accept his Chinese heritage.

“You see a lot of our GAA athletes and sports athletes say how they use sport to be accepted, to try to fit in,” he said.

“When the colour of your skin singles you out, you look for that acceptance.

“It was very much the case for me because I wanted to fit in. In a lot of ways I denied my heritage.

“The GAA has a community that can make an impact on boys and girls. It doesn’t matter how good they are at hurling and football – that’s the challenge that I’d love the GAA to explore.”

Sherlock believes the