Thuggery in sport is a result of boorish influences away from the pitch

It would be reassuring to take refuge in that marketing saw — “In Donegal, they do things differently” — but the situation that developed after an underage GAA match in the county last weekend has, unfortunately, echoes right across the country.

Thuggery in sport is a result of boorish influences away from the pitch

It would be reassuring to take refuge in that marketing saw — “In Donegal, they do things differently” — but the situation that developed after an underage GAA match in the county last weekend has, unfortunately, echoes right across the country.

A referee, a volunteer giving his time freely for the good of his community, had to be locked in a dressing room for his safety after an U14 football final.

Though not as bad as the incident at an underage Donegal game some years ago, when a referee’s jaw was broken by an irate parent, the behaviour of parents after the Division Three County final, between Naomh Brid/Pettigo and Red Hugh’s, from Killygordon in Mountcharles — hardly do-or-die stuff — was disgraceful.

It not only shames them and damages the standing of their sport, but if offers an appalling example of aggression and thuggery to the young people involved. It shows, too, what happens when an organisation is often too ambiguous about discipline.

It would be wrong to pretend that this is exclusively a Donegal or a GAA issue. Boorish, out-of-control parents are all too common a sight at underage games. This is a double-edged sword, because the only sanction clubs can realistically impose is a ban on the child — who may be an innocent victim.

This lawlessness, this boorishness is learned behaviour and underlines the great leadership responsibilities those in a position to influence social mores must discharge.

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