Former Kerry GAA manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice has spoken of his outrage at alleged racial abuse chanted at a young player during a school football match.
Mr Fitzmaurice, who is principle at Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in Dingle, Co Kerry, said that one of his players was verbally abused by members of the public while playing against Naas CBS in the Hogan Cup last Saturday.
He said that he has since lodged a complaint to the GAA over the abuse he claims came from a section of the Kildare school’s support.
Speaking to Sean O’Rourke on RTE Radio One on Wednesday morning, Mr Fitzmaurice said: “It’s important to state from the outset that you know we didn’t have a problem with the result of the game, the better team won on the day.
Kerry's Gavin White still waiting for elusive League debut
“It’s important to state that there’s no problem with any of the players or any of the mentors that were involved with the team.
“Unfortunately during the game there was an element of the Naas support that were chanting at one of our players and unfortunately some of those chants were of racist nature.
“It went on for much of the first half. One of our teachers actually brought it to the attention of the officials at half time and it seemed to quieten down for a bit.
“But going towards the end of the game it happened a couple of times again. Not all of the supporters were involved in this chanting.”
Tommy Walsh feeling great after making Kerry return
He said that he had no idea that the racist abuse was going on as he was not close to those doing it.
He added: “I was on the opposite side of the field. I was aware as was everyone else that there was a lively atmosphere at the game but that wouldn’t be unusual at school football matches.
“We never came across this before and that’s why we are anxious to take a strong stand. We don’t want to see this happening again.
“It’s not the norm and we wouldn’t like to see it becoming the norm.
“It’s about education. I mean you see it right up to the highest levels of international sport where it’s the pretty hot topic at the moment.
“But I think particularly in a school environment that you have the power to influence the students in a very positive way. It is about making them understand what is right and what is wrong.”
Kerry legend Mike Sheehy reveals he also got poisonous letters at end of Eamonn Fizmaurice’s reign
He concluded: “Unfortunately on this occasion this behaviour was definitely past the line of acceptability.
“I don’t want to go into the words used but it was nationality based.
“We are a school that is very inclusive. We except people from all ethnic background, from all nationalities.
“I know the GAA is very strong on inclusivity and diversity and I know they wouldn’t like to see this happening either.
“In Kerry in particular, in Dingle, football is a very important thing and most of the students like to partake in it.”
