Thug sport?

Dirk_Diggler

First off, this ain't a troll.

I've played football since I was a kid, played it for about 15 years I'd say. Throughout those years in underage I always came across some sort of row/fight in a game and it was basically accepted at that level. When I moved into junior level I noticed it still went on and it got more violent. I've seen players' teeth knocked out, players dragging a linesman onto the pitch and hitting him, linesmen hitting players, jaws broken etc.

So this year I gave it up as I just saw it as a thug sport. Any games I've watched on tv this year have had some truly embarassing incidents. I remember one game from Ulster early on in the championship and it was just totally pathetic. Dublin - Kerry game the same. I've attended just two local games this year and yes, you've guessed it, there were brawls in both games with full punches to the head thrown.

I watched some of the Mayo - Meath game last weekend and it was the first time in a while that I saw none of this carry on. It's still not enough to change my opinion on the sport I once loved.


So yeah, ain't a troll at all. Just my observation on the sport.

DDC1990

Meh, each to their own. You see these incidents in many sports, Rugby for example, always has a flair up or two. In fact i'd prefer to see a schmozzle every now and again, then to see in soccer some fellah jump 10 feet into the air roll 17 times and have all his team-mates surround the referee looking for a red card!!! Thats more thuggish if you ask me.

I do agree with you on some points. Its not right to have the sly digs going in like we saw in the first Derry vs Monaghan game. Likewise the dig Whelan (only an example... there are plenty from Darragh Ó Sé as well) threw against Aiden O'Mahoney... or the worst of all diving into a players back with the knee's. This does need to be sorted.

Finally... Linesmen being dragged on the field and hit? Linesment hitting players??? Are you serious. Never seen or heard of such an incident!

Dirk_Diggler

Yep, have seen it happen with my own eyes.

Rugby for example, always has a flair up or two

Come on now, nowhere near the same level. I rarely see anything like that going on in rugby.

In fact i'd prefer to see a schmozzle every now and again

So you're saying your the type of guy I'm referring to? The type that likes giving the odd belt or two and just getting on with the game?

to see in soccer some fellah jump 10 feet into the air roll 17 times and have all his team-mates surround the referee looking for a red card

Um, I'd much prefer the guy that I was marking to do that than to try and break my jaw

Mushy

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

Yep, have seen it happen with my own eyes.



Come on now, nowhere near the same level. I rarely see anything like that going on in rugby.

Was watching State of Origin rugby league matches in Oz, if ya saw the last 10 mins of 3rd match, yeah, would be well up there on the level. One lad unconscious, 30-man brawl, all of which was repeated roughly 2mins later, bar one less man, and no unconscious person second time around. What about eye-gouging...that thugish, so yeah, it'd be up there.

Um, I'd much prefer the guy that I was marking to do that than to try and break my jaw

I'd much prefer to see these prima-donnas man up a bit and take a challenge.

Dirk_Diggler

I really don't think you can compare rugby and football. Plus we're not talking about rugby here so I'm not entirely sure why it's come into the equation.

I'd much prefer to see these prima-donnas man up a bit and take a challenge.

Eh, someone throwing a punch ain't a 'challenge'. I'm all for hard hitting games etc, but football brings you that AND thuggery.

mayordenis

Mushy wrote: »

Was watching State of Origin rugby league matches in Oz, if ya saw the last 10 mins of 3rd match, yeah, would be well up there on the level. One lad unconscious, 30-man brawl, all of which was repeated roughly 2mins later, bar one less man, and no unconscious person second time around. What about eye-gouging...that thugish, so yeah, it'd be up there.

Even if and it's a big if that gaelic was comparably thuggish with rugby, which I don't think it is, I don't see how that makes it ok, It's on a different level in football here - the OP is right I hardly see a game that doesn't contain a scrap, sure in rugby there's a few little punch ups which usually don't go far and the very odd incident of 1 or 2 players getting in some cheap shots.

Mushy wrote: »

I'd much prefer to see these prima-donnas man up a bit and take a challenge.

Everyone would prefer that, there's a middle ground to be struck, rugby is the closest I can think of.

Riskymove

if I am being honest gaelic football is without doubt the dirtiest of the games I have played...thats not to say that things dont happen in other sports...but for me football is the dirtiest

imo it seems to be down to the attitude to the game...tribal, parish rivalry etc...I have seen people essentially ambushed because where they are from

to add to all that the game seems to be filled now with "taking out" your man, pulling, dragging etc which is really Hard to watch

its a pity because there can be a great amount of skill in the game

gustavo

Mushy wrote: »

I'd much prefer to see these prima-donnas man up a bit and take a challenge.

Never seen that in all my years of going to Rovers matches tbf

Dirk_Diggler

Riskymove wrote: »

if I am being honest gaelic football is without doubt the dirtiest of the games I have played...thats not to say that things dont happen in other sports...but for me football is the dirtiest

imo it seems to be down to the attitude to the game...tribal, parish rivalry etc...I have seen people essentially ambushed because where they are from

to add to all that the game seems to be filled now with "taking out" your man, pulling, dragging etc which is really Hard to watch

its a pity because there can be a great amount of skill in the game

Yeah don't get me wrong, I think it's still a decent sport to watch at times but it's becoming increasingly more difficult to watch because of what goes on off the ball. And it doesn't help when it's basically shrugged off as 'one of those things that happens' in the studio afterwards.

When I think about it, I was involved in a number of scuffles as a kid and I don't ever remember anyone bringing me or my teammates to the side and telling us that it ain't the right thing to do.

homerjay2005

there was an eye gauging incident in a recent lyons test.
a massive brawl a few weeks ago in a club rugby game.
2 serious recent incidents in england where players got serious injuries from elbows to the head.
doping horses, tour d france scandels, i could go on and on.

does that mean, going on your theory, that all sports people are thugs playing a thugs game just cos you saw a fight in a junior game?

as regards the linesman thing, a man holding a flag while his son is playin wing back is not a lineman.

if you want to read anything into it, fighting in games is an indication of the irish society, not the sport. go watch any local game no matter what the sport and ul see belts thrown.

Dirk_Diggler

Yeah homerjay2005, you're coming across as the type of guy that gets involved in all of this stuff. If you do, fair enough, you're a thug imo.

just cos you saw a fight in a junior game?

lollerskates

I didn't just see one fight. Try again and read my post properly.


I'm still baffled as to why people are talking about other sports when it's football I'm talking about

cruiserweight

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

Yeah homerjay2005, you're coming across as the type of guy that gets involved in all of this stuff. If you do, fair enough, you're a thug imo.



lollerskates

I didn't just see one fight. Try again and read my post properly.


I'm still baffled as to why people are talking about other sports when it's football I'm talking about

I am leaving this thread open as some rational discussion may come from it.

However you cannot call fellow posters thugs, banned.

homerjay2005

im not going to lower myself anymore to respond to bait like you. youve come on here looking to cause trouble and get a reaction.

Orizio

mayordenis wrote: »

Even if and it's a big if that gaelic was comparably thuggish with rugby, which I don't think it is, I don't see how that makes it ok, It's on a different level in football here - the OP is right I hardly see a game that doesn't contain a scrap, sure in rugby there's a few little punch ups which usually don't go far and the very odd incident of 1 or 2 players getting in some cheap shots.
Everyone would prefer that, there's a middle ground to be struck, rugby is the closest I can think of.

No offense, but if you think Rugby isn't as bad, or worse, then Gaelic Football, then I can only assume you haven't watched any Rugby over the past four or so decades. Watch a competitive French Rugby Union game - it isn't for the faint hearted. More generally, how many eye gouging incidents has there been over the past year in the sport?

Both sports as are 'bad' as each other, by which I mean there are a few morons in most teams out to start fights.

Mind you, a good fight always entertains me...;)

Orizio

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

Yeah homerjay2005, you're coming across as the type of guy that gets involved in all of this stuff. If you do, fair enough, you're a thug imo.



lollerskates

I didn't just see one fight. Try again and read my post properly.


I'm still baffled as to why people are talking about other sports when it's football I'm talking about

You brought up Rugby troll.:rolleyes:

bigeasyeah

Its a game that has a lot of pride and passion,incidents are going to happen when emotion is high.
I really dont mind players being physical as long as its not underhanded and cowardly.
I agree though, that officials should be treated with respect.

homerjay2005

tis all lies i tell ya, lies.:p

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3wnE-hIhoM

this is from my area at home, from about 10/12 years ago. only get going half way in.

kaimera

tbh, these dickheads are worse than the players

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWJCN_3PN1k

if anyone can dig out the laois club hurling scraps...thats crazy ****

Riskymove

Orizio wrote: »

You brought up Rugby troll.:rolleyes:

did he? :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

maherro

I just saw this on boards.ie homepage and was following it. Before I say anything I should make it clear that Im mainly a rugby fan and that while Id watch GAA if its on I wouldn't call myself a true fan if you know what I mean.

I should also state I am not a troll but I feel I have to respond to some of the comments about rugby made here and sorry if people feel that Im just wading in without much knowledge.

Thuggery is much less widespread in rugby, in Ireland and the U.K. anyway, then some of the posters here seem to think it is. I have played rugby since I was 8 till very recently (Im 23) and you very rarely see some of the flare-ups that occur in GAA whenever I watch it. You might see it once or twice a season but thats about it and at professional level its also rare enough.

Aside from that is another key point - that once a row occurs it very rarely happens more the once mainly due to one of the biggest differences between the two sporting cultures, from what I have seen on tv and read in the papers, respect towards the referee! While the first brawl might be excused, a second or third will usually result in yellow cards and an advantage to the opposition.

Sorry about the long post but just my two cents worth,

PS. Is there any rule that the ref can use to punish players speakin back to him in Gaa?

ibuprofen

homerjay2005 wrote: »

im not going to lower myself anymore to respond to bait like you. youve come on here looking to cause trouble and get a reaction.

+1 complete wum

Mushy

maherro wrote: »

I just saw this on boards.ie homepage and was following it. Before I say anything I should make it clear that Im mainly a rugby fan and that while Id watch GAA if its on I wouldn't call myself a true fan if you know what I mean.

I should also state I am not a troll but I feel I have to respond to some of the comments about rugby made here and sorry if people feel that Im just wading in without much knowledge.

Thuggery is much less widespread in rugby, in Ireland and the U.K. anyway, then some of the posters here seem to think it is. I have played rugby since I was 8 till very recently (Im 23) and you very rarely see some of the flare-ups that occur in GAA whenever I watch it. You might see it once or twice a season but thats about it and at professional level its also rare enough.

Aside from that is another key point - that once a row occurs it very rarely happens more the once mainly due to one of the biggest differences between the two sporting cultures, from what I have seen on tv and read in the papers, respect towards the referee! While the first brawl might be excused, a second or third will usually result in yellow cards and an advantage to the opposition.

Sorry about the long post but just my two cents worth,

PS. Is there any rule that the ref can use to punish players speakin back to him in Gaa?

No, you make a fair point. The reffing system in rugby is better equipped to deal with these situations IMO.

For the GAA, well, small island, lot more local rivalry, so maybe it stems from wanting to get one up on the other team.

Mushy

gustavo wrote: »

Never seen that in all my years of going to Rovers matches tbf

Not prima-donnas.

maherro

Mushy wrote: »

small island, lot more local rivalry, so maybe it stems from wanting to get one up on the other team.

Well that exists in rugby too! I went a southside Dublin school St Marys (get your ross ocarroll kelly jokes in...) and we have a very intense rivalry with our 'neighbours' so to speak, Terenure college. So I dont think that rivalry while part of the issue is the cause of all of it. That being said I was always enjoyed getting one over those nure bastards anytime I could! However rugby allows for ways to do that that GAA doesnt.

Mushy

maherro wrote: »

Well that exists in rugby too! I went a southside Dublin school St Marys (get your ross ocarroll kelly jokes in...) and we have a very intense rivalry with our 'neighbours' so to speak, Terenure college. So I dont think that rivalry while part of the issue is the cause of all of it. That being said I was always enjoyed getting one over those nure bastards anytime I could! However rugby allows for ways to do that that GAA doesnt.

Yeah, know that exists, but not on scale of GAA IMO. So, with the reffing system at the moment, combined with two(or more) people who refuse to back down, fights will occur. Bit of a fact of life if ya ask me, and sure we'l see what happens in the match I'm about to play.

Poulgorm

There is a mean spirited approach by some teams that is not acceptable. Dublin players jeering opponents when they score. Immature, schoolboy stuff. Their immaturity showed against Kerry.

The rules that were implemented in the league cleared up most of this type of "manliness" - knee in the back, pushing opponents against hoardings when the play went dead, blocking opponents from forward runs after they had passed the ball, etc etc.

But those rules were thrown out and the nastiness is creeping back in again. Some the teams left in the championship will show their true colours in the remaining games, methinks. We saw evidence of it from Dublin and Tyrone in the second halves of their games.

Orizio

maherro wrote: »

I just saw this on boards.ie homepage and was following it. Before I say anything I should make it clear that Im mainly a rugby fan and that while Id watch GAA if its on I wouldn't call myself a true fan if you know what I mean.

I should also state I am not a troll but I feel I have to respond to some of the comments about rugby made here and sorry if people feel that Im just wading in without much knowledge.

Thuggery is much less widespread in rugby, in Ireland and the U.K. anyway, then some of the posters here seem to think it is. I have played rugby since I was 8 till very recently (Im 23) and you very rarely see some of the flare-ups that occur in GAA whenever I watch it. You might see it once or twice a season but thats about it and at professional level its also rare enough.

Aside from that is another key point - that once a row occurs it very rarely happens more the once mainly due to one of the biggest differences between the two sporting cultures, from what I have seen on tv and read in the papers, respect towards the referee! While the first brawl might be excused, a second or third will usually result in yellow cards and an advantage to the opposition.

Sorry about the long post but just my two cents worth,

PS. Is there any rule that the ref can use to punish players speakin back to him in Gaa?

Undeniably, players respect referees in Rugby (and Cricket) in a way then don't in other sports.

My general point is that one can point to various points in any sport that can be used to condemn the sport as a whole as a 'thugs' sport - really though, this is just lazy and a generalisation. There are thugs that play and mar both Rugby and Gaelic Football, but that doesn't give anyone the right to generalise either sport as a whole.

Also, watch some French or Romanian club rugby and trust me, those huge flares pop up plenty.

Orizio

From Saffaland. Never quite seen anything as bad as this on a GAA pitch. :P

listowel1

great video homerjay!!

This kind of trouble is rife in all sports just is always highlighted as a problem in GAA.
I was at a u21 match recently where one player jumped to catch a high ball and another player just ran straight into him(probably never say him) however lad who went for the ball caught it and his team went up the field and ref played on..as his team went up the field with the ball the original player who won the ball cleanly and fairly was surrounded by parents and officials of opposing team who verbally abused him..after the game he was surrounded by players and management of opposing team who kept abusing him..this is what goes on and people just have to accept it!!

And as paidi o Se said about kerry people!'a bunch of lovely animals'!!

LeoB

Some crap on here.

Who did you play for or what county were you playing in.

The only area I would agree is regarding the referee. There is very little respect for some referees but generally things have got much better. One big fault is some referee put up with way to much crap. Crap we inherited from other sports, cheating and diving and making stupid calls for pick-ups and calling balls wide or points when they are not.

As for the comparison with Rugby. Dont make me laugh stamping on some lads head because its only 2 foot away from the ball, sly digs in rucks and at at scrums. It happens all the time and if one of the posters here does not see it he is playing tag rugby.

Another thing the G.A.A has to contend with is journalists who make so much out of pushing and shoving and create misleading headlines.
When is the last time a decent box was landed during a match its all pushing and shoving. I go to a lot of games and have not seen a decent scrap in about 10 years. But its O.K in Rugby the Guuyys are just letting off a bit of steam mom.

Will agree with poulgorm there is a mean spirited approach by some teams look at the Italian rugby team and that French No6 Chevale is that his name? the one with the long hair who a few of the Irish guuyys **** themselves when he appears. Bring back the claw and Trevor Brennan quick.

Its simple the O.P needs to name at least the county where this happens and then he should inform his local paper.

But referees should be told to dish out more cards against the cynical tactics used by some sides..

brandon_flowers

I have been hit in the face off and on the ball more times than I care to count in club football matches, have I stopped playing? No. If you put 30 children into a classroom and one teacher do you expect every child to behave the same. Now put 30 men onto a field and one referee, add in the pride and the motivation factors and the hours of slogging in the puddle and ****. Do you expect these 30 men to behave in a perfect manner?

I also have been involved in far more all-in brawls in Gaa than Rugby but do you think one grudge is held after the game? I have never witnessed it, things may be brought onto a GAA field but things are never brought off a GAA field. For Rugby I will refer you to one simple case

http://www.tribune.ie/archive/article/2005/feb/27/so-who-did-kill-brian-murphy-on-that-terrible-augu/

Dirk_Diggler

Still not 100% sure why Rugby is being brought up here?

cruiserweight

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

Still not 100% sure why Rugby is being brought up here?

Maybe as a comparison, maybe if you disagree you should argue why it is not a fair comparison

Dirk_Diggler

Well I've more experience in GAA so I have no reason to talk about rugby

Bizarre how off topic this has become.

cruiserweight

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

Well I've more experience in GAA so I have no reason to talk about rugby

Bizarre how off topic this has become.

What way did you expect the discussion to go?

I do not think that anybody here condones any serious violence that takes place when playing any sport. It seems that most people here are of the opinion that is it a symptom of our society rather than being isolated to any one sport. Perhaps you have seen more violence in GAA games because you have more experience of GAA.

Dirk_Diggler

Fwiw, I was at another game at the weekend and I saw a few more punches thrown. Caught a tiny bit of the the Cork game and I was nearly certain that a guy got a yellow card for punching someone across the head. Am I right there?

Mardy Bum

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

Fwiw, I was at another game at the weekend and I saw a few more punches thrown. Caught a tiny bit of the the Cork game and I was nearly certain that a guy got a yellow card for punching someone across the head. Am I right there?

Yes but that was because the ref was making up for a previous mistake in sending some one off.

Dirk_Diggler

I meant am I right in saying that someone was punched across the head?

Mushy

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

I meant am I right in saying that someone was punched across the head?

OMG:eek: Someone was punched over the head??? GAA is obviously clearly for thugs

/sensationalism

Happens everyday in life. Yeah its not right, but it isn't a confined problem.

Dirk_Diggler

OMG:eek: I've seen five games recently and all of them had incidents where strikes were given to the head!

Look, these ain't isolated incidents. I've played the game for many years and got involved in some silly carry on at underage level but clearly senior level has upped the aggression somewhat. It's turning into an absolutely horrible sport to watch because of this.

Mushy

In a physical game its easy to get annoyed, so people do end up doing stupid things. It doesn't take much for any little thing to become over-blown. I don't think people go out with the intention of striking someone to the head, its just one of those moments of madness.

Dirk_Diggler

But why does it happen so often? It's the behaviour of a thug and you can't disagree with that.

cruiserweight

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

But why does it happen so often? It's the behaviour of a thug and you can't disagree with that.

In GAA? In other sports? In general? The more you are posting the less I see you actually wanting to discuss the issues, instead you seem to want to paint the GAA as a game for thugs only.

Violence does happen in sports, and it does seem to be more prevelant in contact sports. The GAA has been making an effort over the last few years to cut out this behaviour, through tougher sanctions etc. Nobody wants to see a repeat of the brawl in the 1996 All Ireland final for example. It is a slow process and is more difficult to apply at lower levels of the game, where there is only one referee, volunteers as linesmen etc. You will see similar patterns in other sports, less order and more chaos at lower levels in rugby, soccer etc. So IMO gaelic games are not for thugs, no more so than rugby, soccer etc. Efforts are being made to eradicate any violence that takes place, but due to the nature of our society and the nature of contact sports sometimes things get out of hand or individuals act in a way that is not representative of the sport as a whole.

premierstone

Yes you're dead right Dirk they're all thugs each and every one of them :rolleyes:

You say in the OP that you are not a troll etc. so can you explain why this is the only ever GAA thread you have posted in and every single post has been negative??

What kind of response exactly were you expecting or has all them slaps in the head affected you?

major bill

GAA fans bewilder me!!! groups of lads punching each others heads in on the pitch but ah sure its just the nature of the sport.thug sport played by thugs!!!!

cruiserweight

major bill wrote: »

GAA fans bewilder me!!! groups of lads punching each others heads in on the pitch but ah sure its just the nature of the sport.thug sport played by thugs!!!!

Trolling eh, banned

Dirk_Diggler

cruiserweight wrote: »

In GAA? In other sports? In general?

What sport did you think I was talking about, Polo?

Efforts are being made to eradicate any violence that takes place

Just to remind you of two recent examples - A match I was at 2 weeks ago had a large brawl and punches were thrown to the heads of many players, was anyone sent off? No. I caught roughly 5 minutes of the game at the weekend and surprise, surprise, I saw a player punch another player across the head. Was he sent off? No. So they're making efforts to eradicate any violence?

What kind of response exactly were you expecting or has all them slaps in the head affected you?

Never got too many slaps on the head to be honest. Probably gave a good few back in the day.

cruiserweight

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

What sport did you think I was talking about, Polo?

Well you do not seem to be able to acknowledge that perhaps this is not isolated to GAA

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

Just to remind you of two recent examples - A match I was at 2 weeks ago had a large brawl and punches were thrown to the heads of many players, was anyone sent off? No. I caught roughly 5 minutes of the game at the weekend and surprise, surprise, I saw a player punch another player across the head. Was he sent off? No. So they're making efforts to eradicate any violence?

There are plenty of efforts being made, stricter suspensions etc. At a match 2 weeks ago, a local match by any chance? Did you see what I said in relation to refereeing at lower levels in all sports. Saw five minutes of the game at the weekend and have made a judgement about the entire game, right.

I can cite incidents for you of violence in other sports I have played. For example playing soccer I had my nose broken with an elbow in the face, guy did not even get booked because the referee did not see it. Based on my experiences should I call this a thug sport. I have had loads of positive experiences playing soccer so I would not do that. It seems to me that you have let some bad experiences cloud your judgement or you have formed an opinion and no amount of debate will change your mind ever.

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

Never got too many slaps on the head to be honest. Probably gave a good few back in the day.

So you call people thugs, brand a sport to be a sport for thugs and then say you have given people a good few slaps back in the day :rolleyes: FYI it is not part of the game, I played from U-10 up to adult both football and hurling, was never in a fight or punched someone.

kincsem

I read down throught the posts. I am surprised the moderator is now entering the discussion.

cruiserweight

kincsem wrote: »

I read down throught the posts. I am surprised the moderator is now entering the discussion.

What has this got to do with the discussion If you have a problem with this thread then report any offensive posts.

Archebald

Dirk_Diggler wrote: »

What sport did you think I was talking about, Polo?



Just to remind you of two recent examples - A match I was at 2 weeks ago had a large brawl and punches were thrown to the heads of many players, was anyone sent off? No. I caught roughly 5 minutes of the game at the weekend and surprise, surprise, I saw a player punch another player across the head. Was he sent off? No. So they're making efforts to eradicate any violence?



Never got too many slaps on the head to be honest. Probably gave a good few back in the day.

just become a referee and sort out the problem one by one