Tipperary GAA club Cahir have tonight released a powerful statement that is highly critical of local and national media coverage of a recent match involving their minor footballers.
On 20 November, the South Tipperary U17B football final between Cahir and Carrick Swan was abandoned. The match was called off by the referee Martin Doyle with four minutes remaining after an incident between players and supporters.
Cahir player Tom Delaney received a second yellow in the second half and his sending off was described by various media outlets as a 'flashpoint' for the incident that would follow.
Delaney would be well-known after playing a huge role in the Tipp minor hurling side won the All-Ireland this past summer.
In its statement, Cahir GAA described the coverage of the game as "incomplete, misleading and unbalanced".
It also said Delaney's family were 'deeply hurt' by the coverage and said that players from their club have been 'targeted' by opposition due to their ethnicity.
You can read the statement in full below.
"Cahir GAA club has serious concerns in relation to the media coverage of the South Tipperary U17B football final on Sunday the 20th November 2022. The coverage in both local and national print and online media is incomplete, misleading and unbalanced as it does not provide the full picture of the events that unfolded on the day.
"As a consequence of this, the Delaney family is deeply hurt and disappointed with how Tom has been portrayed. In addition, the parents and families of the other players on the team have been unfairly tarnished and the coverage reflects very badly on Cahir GAA club. We believe this is unjustified, unwarranted and unsubstantiated.
"Firstly, the articles imply that the reason the game was abandoned was due to protests after Tom Delaney received a red card. No Cahir player, sub, mentor or supporter protested or entered the field of play after Tom received his red card. The red card was warranted and is not being appealed.
"We do not condone any form of inappropriate physical, verbal or abusive behaviour on or off the field from any of our club members. Tom left the field of play and the mentors ensured he remained off the field and that no other Cahir player became involved after the incident.
"Secondly, the articles make no reference to the fact that two players were sent off, one from each team. Anyone reading the article and not present on the day would be led to believe that there was only one red card issued at the time. In addition, Tom is named as the player sent off. We have serious concerns as to whether this is appropriate given the fact that he is a juvenile player.
"Finally, as a club Cahir GAA wishes to highlight an ongoing battle we face whenever we play a game of football or hurling. A group of our players are targeted due to their ethnicity.
"Cahir as a club prepare the boys for this verbal aggression as best we can but now feel the onus needs to be placed on all other clubs to ensure that their members (players, mentors and supporters) are made aware that this is not acceptable in the home, on the street or on the field of play.
Note: "Permission was granted by the Delaney family for Tom Delaney’s name to be used in this," the statement finished.
