lmo,surely you would know if bergin had played c`ship back home this year,aren`t you both members of the same club ???? Or do ye not talk to one another in the club ???
Interesting point you made about the footballer,having played in 2 c`ships for two different clubs in the same year,first time i ever heard of that.It would be interesting to know of the reasons behind the decision, was this a recent case ???

moonshine (UK) - Posts: 297 - 26/09/2009 13:29:03    437096

lmo,ignore last post,just after reading what you said again.But still find it a strange one.

moonshine (UK) - Posts: 297 - 26/09/2009 13:31:43    437097

juvenile final

i was at pnh for blitz and u/16 final yesterday which was abandoned in the last few minutes, with practically every player and subs trading punches on the pitch.
mat macklin could have found many recruits for his sport.
i do not recall seen such spectacle in many many years, with literally every spectator at the game also on the pitch trying to separate the waring factions, which is all you could describe it as. the referee had no option but to abandon the game.

from my own perspective as a neutral, i believe the reff. here must shoulder much of the blame. I know a lot of people will say he had a good game, to which my answer is yes and no.

yes to fouls on the ball, i don't think he missed one, which lead to a lot of frustration on the macs side as they continued fouling the ball and were punished every time. but their was another side to this game which was totally ignored, personal fouls, straight shoulder by a casements player into the chest of a macs player in the early minutes of the game with the reff. within 5 mtrs no card, just a free, this set the tone for the game, any where else he would have received a red card, setting down marker that this is not acceptable. you either play the game or you walk.
he gave a yellow card to macs no9 for talking back to him, this game was simmering and only required a small incident to bring it to the surface, which is a great shame, because this game was played by most of the players until the melee, in good spirit by two evenly matched teams with some brilliant football.

i hope this game will be replayed, it deserves to be.

lmo (Wexford) - Posts: 18 - 27/09/2009 08:47:42    437526

under 16 game didn`t go as planned,good football played from both sides until 15 minutes from the end,lots of niggling fouls throught out the game led to a free for all with players from both sides,2 players from each side sent off & game abandoned.RC leading by 3 points at the time.
Spectators from both sides also came onto the pitch,not good at all for the county.Warwickshire now unlikely to have a representive in the all britain c`ship next w`end.

limerickleader (UK) - Posts: 103 - 27/09/2009 08:54:09    437527

Lets hope both teams/clubs are punished appropriatly !! this is a disgrace and the fact that it was a good game until this point should not disguise the facts!! As some earlier posts were claimng these players are to be the future of warwickshire ....................well lets hope not on the behaviour side of things!!

Bothered (Leitrim) - Posts: 20 - 27/09/2009 11:11:09    437573

congrats to st chads for there win today, good to see some silverware heading to erdington!! Open question- why were there erin go bragh club members at the game?? While their "team mates" were playing at Holly Lane??? What makes it worse for me is that it was a memorial match for Mick O'heir, a true geal!!! Think this showed a disnict lack of class!! Its not my club so it dosnt affect me but arnt the egb members in question the ones who r going to be making sweeping changes!!! Look out warwickshire!!! All personal issues aside all egb club members and players should have been there to support this event!! Heard it was a good game for those who played!

gealtoc0121 (Cavan) - Posts: 8 - 27/09/2009 23:10:01    438123

I happened to driving out by Bickenhill early sat morn and saw activity there. I drove in to see what was happening that early in the morning and it was the under 10 blitz that was on. What a joy to see all the young bucks enjoying themselves so much. This was then then followed followed by uner 14 which was very enjoyable and as I am pension age and time to kill I was delighted to hear that the under 16 championship final was to follow.My only problem with all of this was I wanted a cup of tea or something to drink and a sandwich but the clubhouse was not open until 3.45 which I couldnt understand!! The 16 game was delayed because the 14s hadnt finished on time and the bottom pitch was out of bounds as it was being kept for the hurlers on Sunday!! What happened during the next hour was something I never want to witness again. During the first 15mins there was a lot of chanting like what you would hear at a soccer game from the Casement to the Macs players.This I could not understand as these were only kids playing.The referee did try to get them to stop but didint succeed. There was some very good football being played by both teams but there seemed to be a very hostile atmosphere from the Casements.With about 15mins remaining and Casements up by 3pts Macs full forward had the ball and was about to take his score but was brought down right in fromt of the goals he was then attacked and what happened after that was a pure disgrace. I hope that I never have to witness the likes again. How can grown men and women act like this in front of kids.What made it more frightening was that there were some of them on the pitch with bottles!! At this point I thought to myself I wish the clubhouse had stayed shut as I had gone to the tearoom accross the road earlier to get my refreshment. I hope that the Warwickshire board deals with this incident promptly and treats it with the severity that it deserves.

audacious (UK) - Posts: 24 - 28/09/2009 11:59:20    438420

after watching the under 16's final i have many complaints! first of all what was the need for about 20/30 mac's to be on the pitch? But when the ref did tel them to get them off the pitch mac's creeped back on. this was a kids game so why the need of going on to the pitch with casement winning and mac's having no answer to this, mac's then turned to fighting! The fight was not started by casement, but 6 of one & half a dozen of the other. for mac's things then turned nasty & never in my life in 30 years have i seen such a terrible show from a team, they resorted to racis comments, i do not care what happens this should never creep into a gaelic game, weather back home or in england. I was pleased to see casements younger lads on the sideline stand up to mac's old gaurd. this has never happen before. Normally mac's would just walk over any one, this did not happen on this occassion as casements did what was right & stood there ground. LETS KICK RASCIM OUT!

gaauk2009 (UK) - Posts: 4 - 28/09/2009 13:20:36    438550

These violent incidents have often occured over the years (no excuse !!), but i feel they are happening more and more regulary now. Was'nt there an incident at the U14 Feile earlier this year between macs and ballymun (adult supporters/officials i may add!!) ? what a great way to advertise the way we are handling/promoting our game in england. I dont know if the county board done anything about it, they probably said it was a provincial matter!!!!! ?? there have also been some incidents in erdington with some macs players having there clothes urinated on amongst other things. I know of another incident (last year i think ?) between brendans, mitchells and casements at the gaa for africa day, a Connollys official also told me that they had to leave erdington in a hurry ?

I dont know the ins and outs of all these incidents and dont want to blame anyone or club, I am just worried that it is becoming more frequent and i feel it is down to the mentors and club commitee's to wipe this from our game, needless to say the county board need to be strong and look after what is happening in Warwickshire, rather than ignore or pass on to provincial council. (or have a long drawn out investigation with no actual outcome of any note!)

I am not saying i have the answers, i just want to see all grades, ages playing/supporting our sport in the manner it was meant.

I am guessing that most of you will agree and would like to see your thoughts on what might/could be done

Bothered (Leitrim) - Posts: 20 - 28/09/2009 16:51:01    438831

gaauk2009, you must have felt yourself a very proud casements man when sending in your post,about standing your ground with macs old guard. It is easy stand your ground when you are holding bottles in your hand, as has already been stated in earlier posts.
Your comments about racism are just another cheap shot to make your club look good.And as regards your football style chanting to try an intimedate young kids,another cheap shot.

limerickleader (UK) - Posts: 103 - 28/09/2009 20:19:27    439111

in all of these games where incidents such as happened on saturday, there is a common tread.
the REFEREE.
the standard of refereeing in warwickshire leaves a lot to be desired.
I do not in any way condone what happened and like any right minded person I condemn it. but no one should be surprised.
the actions on the pitch were horrendous by any standard.

the referee's first duty is to the care is to the players taking part. in the gaa there are rules to play by and if you break those rules there is a just punishment.
I am NOT a mac's supporter by any stretch of the imagination.
to suggest they were responsible on their own for what happened is nonsense, there were no saints on either side.

if the referee in first five minutes had taken action to protect mac's center back, after an outrageous tackle by a casements player, they would have been down to fourteen men.
if players are allowed to be abused on the pitch as happened in this case, nature dictates you will take the law into your own hands and seek retribution.
there were way too many incidents in this game to allow it to be papered over.

referees are ordinary people who go out to do a very difficult job, it is time county board took on their collective responsibility and do something to help them,
there is help available from croke park, you only have to ask .
these are dedicated people and deserve better, and until something is done they will continue to carry the can for the incidents that go on.

on the side of the pitch nearest the clubhouse spectators were standing about 5 mtr. in on the playing area, the referee should have stopped the game and have them moved outside the barrier before restarting and same action on the other side. what went here has no place in gaelic games and has to be stamped out now permanently, there can be no exceptions.
the referees are appointed by the county board, the county board are appointed by the clubs, this matter is now in their hands so allow them time to investigate
the reasons behind these incidents and come to the correct conclusion, no witch hunts / kangaroo courts. we all part of the gaa family bear some responsibility for being in this situtation.

in my own county, as in most countys all finals are played on enclosed pitches, but make no mistake about it it was incidents, maybe not as bad as saturdays that caused our county board to take this route.

millbrook (UK) - Posts: 103 - 28/09/2009 21:51:54    439229

Millbrook you sound very similar to LMO from wexford are you not happy talking under your own name now we have to listen to you twice. Do you ever say anything positive if dont like things in Warwickshire then why dont you do something about it instead of talking talking talking and more talking. If things that bad why do get involved??????? We all sick of your essays now!!!! Its very easy to blame a referee when things go wrong. The two teams need to shoulder the blame and both clubs should be told to name and shame.

ireland80 (Kildare) - Posts: 7 - 28/09/2009 22:43:02    439295

limerickleader so do you think rascim has a place in gaelic?
maybe it was both & both but the first adult to throw a punch was a mac's adult! hit a dad who was holding his son back. if that did not happen the trouble would not have started!
no bottles were involed, it has been many years since anyone has stood up to mac's, just goes to show everyone else in the county the fear factor has gone.
so what you are sayin mac's or any other team in the county dnt chant at games? i believ it when i see it!
i watched this game sitting on the fence but im not a casement or mac's man but i do believe there are many problems in this game & i didnt not think rascim was one.

gaauk2009 (UK) - Posts: 4 - 29/09/2009 07:43:25    439431

I tto witnessed the u16 ch'ship. I'm neutral but was asked to come by a friends 14 year old son to watch his first final. i have seen much gaa over the years, many a ruck too! i dont have the answers but I think its good to open the debate, realise the problems and look for the answers. Any referee has a hard task. Kids are kids, throw a punch, the other will throw one back. the chanting and jeering from the side belongs at soccer. It has no place in our game.what alot of people may not have heard depending where you were standing is that a lot of abuse and intimidation during the game was hurled at the referee and i would agree that this was definately influenced by drink. did this influence any decision to send players off early on? we are a small community after all. Mentors have a hard time to. they coachlads to a final and they want to win. but it cant be win at any cost. who should 'control' the supoorters on the side? there were linesmen, could anything have been said earlier? or was it? The lads from both teams played good football in an evenly matched contest. after the game finished casements stayed up at the pitch. another scuffle appeared to break out between themselves. i cant help wondering why? the comments made by gaauk2009 have no place on this forum. and the mentors i know from casements will i am sure distance themselves from them.

Breiffne1 (Cavan) - Posts: 27 - 29/09/2009 08:37:04    439440

irlando 80
i'm glad somebody rattled your cage,
my roots are a small village called new birmnigmam close to kilkenny border, and your attempt to muddy the waters don't work.

I didn't realise you suffered from a.d.s. (attention disorder syndrome) so in future i will try just for you, to keep my responses to maybe ten simple words.

but first you have to accept that for others benefit, incidents like last sat, take more words to explain.

what i have said, i have said.

game should not be replayed under any circumstances, note the difference to your ref.

reason: most of the players should be suspended for 12 weeks.

chairman and sectretary of both clubs to account for respective clubs behaviour.

let county board deliver justice to all concerned.

dis s not bad, s gud for gam, hope no to difculy fr u.

millbrook (UK) - Posts: 103 - 29/09/2009 11:25:36    439560

Also have a few issues with the under 16 final on saturday. first of all i cant believe people are blaming casements for starting the brawl which saw the game getting abandoned. The facts are the first specators on the pitch were macdermots, (having been on the pitch almost all of the game anyway after having been told three times to get behind the touchline by the referee). Why would casements get the final abandoned by starting a riot when they were comfortably ahead and looked to be in full control of the game. And as for the talk of casements fans running on the pitch with bottles in their hands, what a load of nonsense. Also, it was discusting to hear the racial abuse one casements specator was subjected to after the game. I also feel that the referee and his linesman lost control of the game, there was one player in particular from macdermots who was going into tackles using his elbows and feet and despite the referee awarding frees against him he was not sent off. This led to some bad tackling from BOTH teams which again was not stamped out by the referee. As a neutral in warwickshire i hope we dont see anymore incidents like this again in the county.

harry_gaa (UK) - Posts: 5 - 29/09/2009 15:05:00    439840

i play for casements under 16s. there are a few facts that need to be addressed, i will try to be as nautral as possible: - every time ive play macdermotts there has been a bit of tension, this may be the coventry-birmingham rivalry. it certaintly has something to do with the evenly matched quality of the teams which always results in physical, well fought games. - something for me in the game, all through the game i was continually fouled by a macdermotts player, punched, elbowed, kneed throughout the game, my teammates were also subject to this. this has been highlighted by a previous post, so im not the only one who noticed this. - casements were no saints on the pitch, we commited our fair share of fouls, including the last foul that brought macs player down, incidentally sparking the trouble. yes, within shooting distance, if there are any people here who wouldnt have done the same thing, think a little harder. we were 4 points up with 8 minutes to go. - the chanting from casements supporters was admittedly, unneeded, but in good humour. after all, macdermotts number 4 made some unsightly guestures to the casements lads which was childish, and he was then subjected to some humourus chanting and wolf whistling. he wasnt being bullied or intimadated! harmless banter, if you can give, you must be prepared to take. - once the bad challenge had been commited (not condoning it) the macs player threw a punch, the first punch. my team mate, a 16 year old lad, reacted which cannot be condoned either. 2 macs lads got involved. things snowballed, other players got involved from both sides, macdermotts fans entered the field of play, which should not be done in any event. every action has a reaction, which was in this case was casements fans coming onto the pitch. im sure any neutrals would be able to identify what set of fans entered the field of play first. again, feel free to correct me. - the geography of the location of opposite supporters must be considered. casements fans, towards the bottom end of the pitch, whereas macs supporters located nearest to clubhouse, closer to the trouble. - scuffles between players on a pitch normally fizzle out, happens quite often. if this had happened, 2 players would have been sent off, for throwing the first punch, and retaliating with a punch. adults entering the field of play did nothing but aggravate the situation in MY opinion. - two of my team mates were punched by someone who wasnt in a macdermotts under 16s top. - my goalkeeper has stud marks on his face from being stamped on by 2 or 3 people, who most probably werent members of casements gaa due to him wearing a bright yellow casements goalie top. - bottles on the pitch? i walked away from the trouble as i have no time for it, i was also injured. on sitting down on a bench and watching scenes develop, i noticed about 15 half full/full bottles in and around me. how can these bottles be on and off the pitch at the same time? - casements were 4 points up, in control, could anyone enlighten me on why we would start those scenes saturday? - possibly the most outrageous thing, including the fighting. as many of the adults present were doing, a mixed race member of the casements fans entered the field of play, wrongly, on reaching the 'brawl', he was promtly told to "F*** off you black ****" in a distinct b'ham accent. that sort of racism doesnt belong at PNH at an ethnic minority sport event? ive tried to be as completely neutral on my view of saturday and just state what happened. i hope we can sort this mess out and have a warwickshire rep for the all britain. please, feel free to correct me if im mistaken in any of the points above, this is a discussion forum after all...

seansully (UK) - Posts: 4 - 29/09/2009 18:00:32    440093

U are very misguided and clearly biased.
the incident was not started by any spectators of either side. it was sarted by one player punching another to prevent him taking a score.

Breiffne1 (Cavan) - Posts: 27 - 29/09/2009 18:29:13    440120

like i said, please correct me?

seansully (UK) - Posts: 4 - 29/09/2009 20:45:31    440257

ignore previous post. so the game was abandoned due to players fighting?

seansully (UK) - Posts: 4 - 29/09/2009 20:57:42    440285