McGee had moral victory over abuser

GIVEN the racist bile that continues to poison soccer’s culture, the GAA has good reason to feel content with its lot. True, there have been some shameful moments; most notably 12 months ago when there were several rotten incidents at club games that could not be justified. But even so, those mad acts that saw non-playing personnel entering the pitch, players getting punched and, in one instance, a mass brawl that spilled onto a car park, were fuelled by passion rather than pre-meditated malice. It did not make it right, but it at least afforded some comprehension.

Which is why an incident at the end of last Sunday’s drawn Donegal county final between Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill in Ballybofey is so disturbing.

As the players drew breath at the final whistle and were greeted by their nearest and dearest, one individual came onto the pitch to abuse Éamon McGee (left), the former Donegal player who has been a liberal voice for change on a number of social issues in recent years.

We suspect McGee’s tormentor was not only on the losing side of those arguments, but may also have lost his reason. After all, what rational person would think it reasonable to berate a player who had emptied himself in representing his community?

But worse than that, this individual then appeared to turn his wrath on McGee’s partner and child as they left the pitch.

The good news is that he was put in his place. But the real pity is that McGee’s tormentor was not man enough to tog out for 60 minutes against him. If he was, chances are some manners would have been put on him.