September Road

News from the world of Gaelic Games

We're not alone in the sporting fight

In the past few weeks, the GAA has been taking a battering because of on-field batterings. Nowhere seems to be immune from the "one-in, all-in" mentality - not underage, not even camogie. GAA supporters have an immaculate reputation - it's just a pity it's not repeated on the pitch.

Are we alone here? Is it GAA DNA? Perhaps we're just too exposed to English club soccer, where the players are paid too much by their clubs and cosmetic companies to risk fighting.

We decided to have a look at some of the other big contact team sports in the world - not to justify or excuse the recent mass rows but to see what supporters of other sports expect from their players.

Late last month, a bench-clearing brawl broke out between two of the most famous baseball teams in the world, when Bronson Arroyo of the Boston Red Sox hit New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez with a pitch - baseball's version of the late tackle.

As Rodriguez stared down Arroyo, catcher Jason Varitek - still wearing his mask - got between them and, after some polite conversation, decided to perform an extreme make-over on the Yankees star - starting with his face.

The dugouts and bullpens emptied. Several fights and scrums erupted. Varitek and Rodriguez were ejected from the game by plate umpire Bruce Froemming, as were the Yankees' Kenny Lofton and Gabe Kapler.

No biggie. Normal service was soon restored.

Boston manager Terry Francona was ejected later after arguing a call.

At least in GAA we're not used to the managers getting involved in the fighting - though GAA managers have certainly mastered the art of verbal terrorism.

Getting back to baseball and last year, during Game Three of the AL championship series, Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez threw 72-year-old Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer to the ground.

Staying in the USA - and also Canada - sports fans regularly go to a boxing match and an ice hockey game breaks out.

No wonder. One in five Canadian men actually enjoys the violence in sport. According to an international poll, Canadian men topped the charts in their taste for violence in sport, followed by Australians.

Nineteen per cent of Canadian males agreed with the statement: "I like the violence in sports."

In Australia, the level of agreement was 11 per cent. After that, it fell off sharply.

Ice hockey even has designated "enforcers" (also not unknown among certain GAA teams). But at least they wear armour. Ever seen the World's Wildest Riots? The cities featured are a who's who of Stanley Cup winners.

The sports violence in Australia, though, is more like what we are used to here. Two players starting a handbags session, quickly joined by a third. If the referee doesn't take back control immediately, it can often escalate into a free-for-all.

There used to be a time when hurleys would be dropped as soon as a fight broke out - recognition of the fact that the players were carrying a lethal weapon.

Perhaps, in the end, the fracas of late are more a reflection of the lack of respect in modern sport, including the GAA. Lack of respect for the other players and particularly for the referee.

It's respect for the referee that stops rugby from degenerating into mayhem. The sport of elegant violence is so physical, a row breaking out is almost a welcome break for the players.

Quote of the Weekend - "There are more important things in life . . . Cormac McAnallen is the most important thing in our lives this year and will be for a long time." - Tyrone manager Mickey Harte

All-Ireland SF title Odds 

Kerry15/8, Mayo15/8, Dublin11/2, Westmeath6/1, Fermanagh7/1, Derry12/1