Call for crackdown on pitch selfie hunters

May 01, 2024

Clare's Peter Duggan signs autographs for young fans. ©INPHO/Natasha Barton.

A Galway man has called for greater protection for GAA players who are swarmed by young autograph and selfie hunters after games.

In the Letters to the Editor section of Tuesday’s Irish Independent, Sean O’Dowd from Rahoon suggested that players shouldn’t have to deal with fans after entertaining them for the previous 70 minutes.

“For fear of being called a killjoy, I think it’s about time the GAA addressed the matter of pitch invasions, primarily by young, enthusiastic fans after matches,” he wrote.

“And the poor players are caught between a rock and hard place if they make a run for it to the dressing rooms, as they will be labelled as ignoring their fans.

“Give the players more protection and escort them off the pitch in a safe manner. After all, they have just given their all for 70-plus minutes to entertain these same fans.”


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