The former PRO of Clare camogie, Brid McNamara has said she was on the receiving end of abusive text messages during her time in the position.
She told Peter O'Connell of the Clare Champion that he abusers were angry at the level of media coverage camogie received in Clare.
To clarify further, they thought camogie received too much coverage in Clare.
I was female and sports journalism is regarded as being male. Suggestions were being made as regards what favours were given to garner the coverage.
The questions I’d like to ask are: ‘What do you do yourself in the GAA? Are you an armchair supporter or do you get out there and do something?’
The texts are coming from a few individuals. You can laugh them off but it is disappointing to see that. This is 2016. It’s the centenary of a very fine moment in our history.
Her abusers thought the column inches dedicated to camogie would be better used covering something else. Hurling, perhaps.
McNamara said that some of the text messages were "explicit" and said she was very sad to see "neanderthal" opinions towards women's sport hadn't disappeared.
However, she did make a point of praising several Clare media representatives including Syl O'Connor, the man whose famous commentary lit up the 2013 All-Ireland hurling finals, and was eventually heard by listeners far beyond Clare FM's catchment area.
The support from Clare GAA that I and Clare camogie have received is superb. I cannot speak highly enough of Syl O’Connor, Seán O’Halloran, and Tom Sheehan in Bórd na n-Óg.
However, as a counterpoint to their friendliness and good advice, there was the "tripe" she had to put up with from the texters.
She stepped down from her role last year.
[Irish Examiner]
