Disciplinary record praised in Offaly GAA Leagues

A MUCH improved disciplinary record in the Offaly adult and underage football and hurling leagues was highlighted at a meeting of the Offaly GAA County Board on Tuesday evening.

Competitions Control Committee secretary Pat Teehan told delegates that 395 games were played between football and hurling in adult and underage.

Noting that there were only 28 disciplinary actions out of those games, he revealed that there were 19 red cards which received a one match ban and one with a two match ban.

There were six players sent off for the remainder of a game for double yellow cards while there was one 16 week suspension of an adult for abusive language to a referee at an underage game and one suspension of 24 weeks to an adult for “minor physical interference” with a referee at an underage game.

There were seven notices of disciplinary actionin football, with four at underage and three in adult. “That is one good side affect of the new rules, that the games are proceeding without much discipline,” Mr Teehan noted.

“Or the referees are more lenient,” quipped chairman Tom Parlon.

Mr Teehan revealed that there were 21 notices of disciplinary action in hurling, 7 at underage and 14 at adult, while there was no contested request for a hearing over any of those.

The Coolderry man did have one negative to present, stating that they had received anonymous complaints about some club mentors not adhering to guidelines and the spirit in the way underage games and in particular Go Games and blitzes should take place. Mr Teehan said they can't deal with any anonymous complaints but warned that they would be dealt with if they came through the right channels.

He asked clubs to encourage mentors in underage blitzes to “show respect” to opposition, to the referees and mentors of other teams. “It is the example that will be shown to young players that will shape their future and that is hugely important”.

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Mr Teehan also expressed pleasure at the low volume of walkovers conceded in the football and hurling leagues with none in Division 1 or 2 in either code and the following in lower grades:

Division 3 Hurling – 3;

Division 3 Football – 1

Division 4 Football – 5;

Division 5 Hurling – 4;

Division 5 Football – 2.