Big Jim
Well-Known Member
I know on the night (assuming we're still talking about the U20 game as I'm not sure what your reference to being a neutral means as you've an Armagh avatar) it certainly seemed bad enough and then I was told after that it wasn't as bad as it looked. For players to be suspended you'd expect a sanction for striking or contributing to a melee. If it's the later then a lot of players etc will face sanctions from every game as a melee is described as a fracas or physical altercation between two or more people. That describes our game and that of hurling accurately. Would they have been as severe if it was a senior game with the same two teams and an identical situation? Who knows? There's no crystal ball so you or me are only making assumptions if we reply or comment either way. It's 100% impossible to say. What we are certain of is that this is the game that was chosen to stamp down hard. Possibly because of the fast reaction and spread on social media. I agree that there were much worse scenes shared from Derry over recent times, but this game was under the direct control of Ulster and they have their own video recording of the game so it was much easier to proceed presumably.I agree they have been reactionary but on your point a very few punches were thrown but punches were still thrown doesn’t make it different I was at the game as a neutral and seen plenty but with also peacemakers but it doesn’t make it any different. So do you think if it was a senior game the sanctions would be the same? My point still remains unless the rules are changed and enforced consistently this will happen again.
I'm not sure I agree though that changing more rules will stop it. Look on YouTube and search GAA fights and you'll possibly get thousands of them. It's been happening since the start and will happen again and again. Rules on speeding and fines have increased dramatically over the years and still it's something we see on an almost daily basis. Some will never follow all the rules!!