GAA parents need a long look in the mirror

IT is often an irritation when an individual’s association with the GAA becomes almost character-defining when they make the news for all the wrong reasons.

This is particularly true of court reportage where you might see a headline which refers to ‘GAA Star’ involved in some criminal misdemeanour only to discover that he once togged for his club’s junior Bs.

That was underlined recently in a particularly heinous sexual assault case where the perpetrator’s role as a statistician with a GAA club was used as bait for the reader.

There are times however, when the GAA make it into the dock all by itself as with the disturbing case in Laois this week where a 55year old man and his 15-year-old son were convicted of an assault on a 16-year-old opponent which saw the latter having to receive hospital treatment.

It was estimated that up to 70 people were involved in the incident which occurred at an Under 16 hurling match between Rosenallis and Clonaslee in April last year.

‘There is far too much pressure being put on young people by their parents, the example being set by the parents is absolutely appalling.

‘If this is the level the GAA has deteriorated to, it should just give up,’ ruled Judge Catherine Staines. Amen to that.