Donegal star Michael Murphy believes the GAA may be better off calling a halt to pre-match parades.
Michael Murphy
There were ugly scenes last Sunday prior to Armagh’s Ulster Championship quarter-final with Cavan when a massive brawl broke out before the ball was even thrown in.
The Glenswilly man admits that he can take or leave what is becoming part of a major pre-match build-up.
“It’s different with the club, where you play the game straight away, and you get used to that as well. If that’s the case with the county I’d be happy enough with that too.”
A major scuffle broke out between both teams after Armagh lined up behind the Cavan flag, which was being carried by the St Michael’s Scout Band.
Cavan forward Martin Dunne was injured in the fracas.
The GAA is coming under pressure to address the pre-match parade, and Murphy told Sky Sport it may be better off omitting it completely.
“It wouldn’t be too bad, one way or the other,” said Murphy. “Is it needless? It’s just a tradition, and whether you can speak out much against tradition I don’t know.
“I suppose it may add to the whole general spectacle as such. But it’s a funny one and an individual preference, really.
“There are so many different things before a game now. You go out early, get through your warm-up, which is needed, then there’s the whole thing of the toss, the parade, the national anthem, and maybe the minute’s silence, which tends to be in nearly every game at the moment.
“It’s different with the club, where you play the game straight away, and you get used to that as well. If that’s the case with the county I’d be happy enough with that too.”
The GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee is reviewing video evidence and the referee’s report following the Athletic Grounds brawl. It is believed that both county boards will face fines at the very least.
Rather than a parade which can add to pre-match tensions between the sides, Murphy says more players would prefer to get the game underway.
“Aye, that’d be fair enough, I think you would,” he said. “I suppose you’re out on the pitch, for 20 or 30 minutes before the game. I’m sure both teams that went out on Sunday were focused on carrying out their plan, and execute the game plan.
“But football and hurling throws up things that you really can’t plan for. It’s how you react as individuals and how you react as a team, and what your principles are.”
Tags: