While the club game is usually spoken about in hushed, reverential tones as being the 'lifeblood' (also known as 'blood') of the GAA, its uglier side reared its head in Donegal last weekend.
The Donegal Democrat reports that an U-14 county final between Naomh Brid/Pettigo and Red Hugh’s from Killygordon turned ugly to the extent that the referee had to barricade himself in the dressing room after the game as he was harangued by angry supporters as he left the field. He was escorted from the field and then spent 20 minutes in the dressing room to allow the whole situation to settle down.
The abuse at no point bordered on the physical, but was verbal and aggressive in nature.
Naomh Brid/Pettigo won the game with a late goal.
Donegal County Board are yet to respond to our request for comment on the matter, and the full report is available on the Donegal Democrat's website.
