After recent controversies, we have decided to draw up official guidelines for appropriate and inoffensive use of social media by GAA players.
We aim to become a kind of Carr Communications for social media using GAA players and county boards. This is a sure-fire guide to staying out of trouble on twitter.
It is intended that this document be disseminated among the county boards of the country. They can seek to act upon it as they wish.
We have provided some handy examples of twitter faux-pas that demonstrate the pitfalls that GAA players should steer clear of.
DON'Ts
Don't threaten a journalist with over 25,000 followers
@Woolberto for ur own health & safety don't mention Ballylinan in a tweet ever again cheers ?
— Gary Walsh (@PsychoWalsh) January 3, 2016
Don't write a twitterhandle that makes one sound psychotic, for instance @Psycho
@BrianODriscoll nice one ?????
— Gary Walsh (@PsychoWalsh) January 6, 2016
If you win a national trophy, don't upload a photo of it cupped around your testicles
Don't tweet derisively about a player with whom you have recently tussled on national television, no matter how cynical you regard his actions
It can only lead to aggro both online and probably on nights out too.
Feel sorry for @dermoc123 hes constantly targeted and against Mayo it was no different!Keegan instigated that row and its not his first time
— Damien Comer (@DamoComer) September 3, 2015
Don't tweet against gay marriage or any other liberalising measures
Even the most ardent of liberals would acknowledge that twitter is a cold house for socially conservative types. If you are given to Brennan-esque proclamations on the nature of marriage, we suggest strongly that you keep them off your twitter profile.
Don't tweet Joe Brolly asking him his opinion on your latest achievement
You'll look so 2014/early 2015.
'Well Joe Brolly, what dju make of THAT????'
— James O'Donoghue (@Jamesod7) September 22, 2014
Don't tweet angrily about a soccer player who talks about the differences between professionalism and amateurism
Most especially, don't tweet disdainfully about the club for which he plays and which pays him a healthy wage. Not unless have the same number of All-Irelands as Ogie Moran.
Poor oul Stephen Hunt,not in the real world at all as u would have to be "really" " really" mentally strong to play for,(IPSWICH)? #wally
— Matty Forde (@MattyForde15) November 30, 2014
Don't make references to gambling in the context of a rival player - particularly one you are likely to meet again on the field in the future.
Perhaps it's better to refrain from criticising other players altogether.
Seamie Callinan must have an eye on the handicap bet. He could have kicked those frees over? #ClareTipp #Gaa
— Liam Rushe (@LiamRushe) April 3, 2016
AND FEW DO's...
Do tweet about Match of the Day on Saturday nights
If there's one thing twitter has taught us it's that (contrary to those who ferment division between the major sports on the island) GAA players really love the Premiership.
Joe Canning, who has issued pro-soccer tweets before, made the mistake of tweeting his relief that the 'boring' Euro 2012 was over. He issued a tweet shortly afterwards apologising for having had an opinion.
Make copious farming references
The great Ciaran Lenehan of Meath and the Irish Farmers Journal is the model to follow.
In the wake of Ireland's qualification for Euro 2016, Lenehan revealed that, in a left-field move, Jack Grealish will take up drawing silage out of boredom next summer.
Jack Grealish gets to stay at home and draw silage while everyone else goes to France...who's the real winner? #IrevBos
— Ciarán Lenehan (@CiaranLen) November 16, 2015
Do tweet the sponsors thanking them for your new socks
Thanks for the park & fill @QPARKIRELAND @Mitsubishi_IRL @DanSeamanMotors @Drive4Zero #electricvehicle #healthycity pic.twitter.com/rX3ayP9MrA
— Dónal Óg Cusack (@DonalOgC) October 31, 2015
Do retweet local businesses every chance you get
Read more: Laois Forward Sends Rather Threatening Tweet To Colm Parkinson Over Selection Criticism
