I’ d hate to see a club portrayed in a way that’s not accurate

KERRY County Board Chairman Tim Murphy has come out in support of the John Mitchels GAA Club in light of renewed controversy surrounding John Mitchel and the historical debate over his pro-slavery stance in the American South during the mid-1800s.

Mr Murphy doesn’t believe any one individual should tell a club what they should or should not do, while he described as ‘unfortunate’ that such a controversy should befall a club like John Mitchels given its tradition of diversity.

“To be fair to the John Mitchels club, they are one of the most inclusive clubs in the whole county in terms of different races and nationalities, I can understand how they’re upset,” he said.

Many believe we now live in an age that demands instant reaction to instant outrage. Current calls for a statue of John Mitchel in Newry, County Down, to be removed meant GAA clubs carrying the Irish patriot’s name were next in line. Tralee Mitchels, and laterally John Mitchels, is associated with the GAA in Tralee extending back to the late 1800s. But will a time come when GAA clubs in

Kerry are forced to carry out a root-and-branch analysis of their names and origins?

“I think the John

Mitchel’s clubs need time to consider that themselves. Everybody was taken aback at the pace of this particular issue. We’re reviewing things through a particular lens now, but

I would emphasise the John Mitchel’s

Club are exemplary in how they deal with inclusivity, and the diverse population that we’ve all become accustomed to in modern Ireland,” Mr Murphy added.

He said that since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, events in the US have brought racism into sharper focus, including racist abuse suffered by two Kerry GAA players while playing for their clubs. However, he stated the GAA’s perspective is very clear on racism.

“As a county board and as a national organisation, we wholeheartedly condemn any sort of racism in any form,” he said. “In Kerry we will certainly be doing our utmost to educate people in so far as we can to give respect and get respect, it’s just very unfortunate,” he said.

“This is a reaction to a situation that has obviously got worldwide viewership in terms of the issues going on in the US. We all need time to consider it, to be honest.

“It’s probably unfair to ask (a club) to rush into a decision just because there is a particular view. But I qualify all this by saying we condemn any sort of racism – past and present.

“It’s a decision, or certainly a conversation, clubs will have to face if they so feel that is necessary. But it has to be given a bit of time to bed in. This is all new ,and it came as a bolt from the blue to some who weren’t aware of the history. It has to be taken in that context and people given time to consider everything.”

Mr Murphy concluded: “I still think the overarching point here is John Mitchels is one of the best clubs in the country for diversity and inclusivity. “That’s what we need to focus on, not on what is trying to be portrayed. I would hate to see a club being portrayed in a particular way because of this. That is not fair, right or accurate.”

Some of the other clubs named in honour of Mitchel include Newry Mitchel’s in Mitchel’s home town; John Mitchel’s Claudy; Castlebar Mitchel’s; John Mitchel’s Glenullin; and John Mitchel’s Liverpool. Clubs exist in the north and south of the country, as well as several in England and Australia.