In a strongly worded address at the most recent County Committee Meeting, Chairman Sean Campion warned all Clubs as to their behaviour at games. This warning stems from recent events at Club Championship games in NCP and the Training Centre, Fenagh.

It seems to have become the accepted norm now at venues across this County that vile, verbal abuse can be hurled at will towards Referees, Stewards and Officials. It is a weekly occurrence at this stage that supporters and Team Mentors alike feel it their right to verbally abuse, and at times, physically intimidate people who run our games.

By all means be vocal in support of your Club, by all means come and enjoy the excitement of our games, you are all most welcome and you the supporters help create the wonderful atmosphere that makes sport so special.

Do NOT however, feel that, by virtue of paying entry at the turnstile this entitles you do do as you please in our venues. Carlow GAA will take a very dim view of bad behaviour and will deal with it accordingly.

GIVE RESPECT – GET RESPECT is the GAA initiative that we are promoting across this County and we are insisting all Clubs and people who enter our venues subscribe to.

Clubs have a major responsibility with regard to the people who support them at games. Some may be fully paid members and some may not but it still falls under the remit of Club Officers to insist through all available platforms that people behave in a responsible manner at games.

Children of all ages attend our games and scenes as we have witnessed over the past months do nothing to promote the GAA. All the good work that is being carried out by Clubs and Coaching & Games Staff alike is being undone by the appalling behaviour of a few.

These are our games, our Clubs & our County. We love all three so let’s try cherish the wonderful spectacle they bring to our lives and let’s ALL try: GIVE RESPECT – GET RESPECT to friend and foe alike at our GAA venues.