Underage referees routinely attacked in Wicklow

December 04, 2014

Underage referees routinely attacked in Wicklow

Shocking incidents involving out-of-control adults at juvenile matches were highlighted at Wicklow's Coiste na nOg Convention.

Eddie Leonard's report into disciplinary incidents made for sobering reading:

"Disappointing that we had a number of issues in 2014. Ciaran Gaskin had to abandon an U14 hurling game in Bray due to abuse and insults from an intercounty player who was acting as a mentor with his team. Game was Bray Emmets against Avondale.

"Adam Fleming from Baltinglass resigned after being subjected to dreadful verbal abuse by an adult at an U12 game in Hollywood.

"Despite speaking with Adam and pleading with him to reconsider, his words were 'why should I bother putting myself in that position when I can be doing better things on a Monday evening?' I had to accept and respect Adam's decision.

"Pat Hickey was abused and aggressively confronted by team officials and a parent at an U14 championship game in Wicklow. Pat had to be taken to the St Pat's clubhouse for his safety.

"John Whyte was grabbed by the throat and abused at the end of the U14 'C' final on October 12th in Annacurra.

"Then, just for good measure, at the same game, a club juvenile chairman was knocked out with a punch from a person from his own club while trying to help the referee."


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