'No excuse for poor behaviour' - Kilkenny teams need support in good days and bad

The month of June means many things. Music festivals, top quality sport and good weather (well, maybe not the weather part!).

It also usually means Kilkenny teams competing at the highest level of GAA competition.

On Saturday, a hat-trick of goals in the second half saw Tipperary deservedly take the O'Neill's.com All-Ireland Under 20 title as they overcame Kilkenny 3-19 to 1-16 in front of a big crowd in UPMC Nowlan Park. - READ MORE HERE

Meanwhile, after the Kilkenny minor's comprehensive win over Galway in the Leinster Final last weekend, Niall Bergin's team will now face Waterford in an All-Ireland Semi-Final.

But, while winning is great, it isn't everything and with so many 16 to 19 year olds representing our county with pride, I feel it's worth revisiting a piece published in the Kilkenny People last summer and maybe it may alter how we express our feelings in the coming days and weeks.

Originally Published in the Kilkenny People on July 5, 2024 - The hurler on the ditch is still alive and kicking! After last week’s huge media outcry to get bums on seats for Saturday evening’s All-Ireland minor final, many hurling fans from Kilkenny and Tipperary made the trip to UPMC Nowlan Park for one of the most thrilling matches in living memory.

From proud parents to Kilkenny and Tipperary hurling diehards, both teams received great support from many of their most loyal fanbases.

Unfortunately though, observing the reaction to various incidents from supporters present and some of the subsequent social media posts, a minority appear to have lost perspective of the age profile of the hurler who was on show and have forgotten the true meaning of the word ‘supporter’ when attending or commenting on games.

In sport there are winners and losers and, unfortunately, when you endure such a see-saw of a match, you ultimately end up witnessing a raft of emotions in the stands. From joy to anger, nerves to shock. The buffet of emotions usually fills the table, nevermind when Kilkenny and Tipperary are sandwiched together.

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But, while instant human reactions in the right and sometimes in the wrong are understandable, it shouldn’t be forgotten that any hurler or match official that takes to the field of play does so with the best of intentions.

On Saturday, the discussion was dominated by Kilkenny’s failure to exploit 13 man Tipperary and referee Thomas Gleeson’s decisions to send off Darragh O’Hora and Cillian Minogue. Those key moments were on the tip of everyone’s tongues throughout the evening and have been analysed far and wide in person and online since.

Personally, I hold deep concerns over the tone of some of the commentary towards players and the referee, both in the stands on the day and subsequently on social media.

Both teams received what I would deem to be unfair and in many cases abusive comments from small sections of the ground right throughout the contest.

From a local point of view, Kilkenny’s off-day in front of the posts and inability to push up the pitch against 13 players created an uncomfortable atmosphere amongst a loud minority. Many people’s views were well-meaning in the main, but others failed to get their message across in such a well-behaved manner.

Frustration is one thing, but when members of An Garda Síochana are required to issue warnings to individuals, that’s a whole different ball game. Player errors and/or aggrievances over decisions are no excuse for poor behaviour at any level, but especially when 15, 16 and 17 year olds are involved.

Would I be making a song and dance out of similar scenes at a senior match? Probabaly not but, as has been said across various outlets over the past week, and I make no apologies in saying it again - they’re only kids.

As GAA President, Jarlaith Burns remarked in his pre-match notes, the players are 'young men'.

"And that context is important in that they deserve our support and admiration as they continue along their games pathway," he stated.

Furthermore, it’s worth remembering that more than half of the Kilkenny team is 16 years of age. They can’t buy a drink, be a fully licensed driver or buy a packet of cigarettes.

Not only are they kids in name but they’re kids by the letter of the law and should be treated as such.

As Kilkenny manager Niall Bergin has told me numerous times this year, "it’s about development. Winning is a bonus."

Let’s not lose sight that minors are a year younger in comparison to the old system. As a result many of the county’s panellists are understandably bound to struggle in high pressured situations. After all, who didn’t at that age?

It could even be argued the minor championship has created more issues than solved them in that respect. Rather than placing 18 year olds in a more comfortable position of being curtain raiser to a final that will garner far more attention, we now place players two years their junior into a small, tight venue and make them centre of attention. Is that really an aid?
I for one have nothing of admiration for the Kilkenny and Tipperary hurlers who have entertained us all year despite not being fully cooked in their development.

You can’t expect the same standards or level of consistency from minor hurlers in comparison to their senior counterparts, so prepare for a few bumps in the road and enjoy the ride!

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