[CENTER][SIZE=4][FONT=Avant Garde]hoganstand.com has learned that Westmeath full back Israel Ilunga is appealing his sending off against Meath in last Saturday’s Leinster MFC semi-final on the grounds that he was racially abused. [/FONT][/SIZE][/CENTER]
[CENTER][SIZE=4][FONT=Avant Garde]The Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall clubman, who won an All-Ireland Vocational Schools medal with Cnoc Mhuire, Granard earlier this year, was allegedly taunted by an opponent before being issued with a straight red card for retaliation five minutes into the second half of the Lake County’s 0-11 to 1-6 victory in Navan.[/FONT][/SIZE][/CENTER]
[CENTER][SIZE=4][FONT=Avant Garde]Westmeath will use video evidence to support their case and have Ilunga cleared to play in next Sunday’s Leinster final against Kildare when their appeal is heard by the Leinster Council tomorrow night. The contents of Carlow referee John Hickey’s report will also be studied.[/FONT][/SIZE][/CENTER]
[CENTER][SIZE=4][FONT=Avant Garde]The incident at Pairc Tailteann sparked a brawl involving several players and some unpleasant exchanges between mentors along the sideline.[/FONT][/SIZE][/CENTER]
[CENTER][SIZE=4][FONT=Avant Garde]Westmeath manager Tommy Carr, who is already resigned to being without injured midfielder Theo Watts and forward Jeremiah Scully for the Croke Park decider, was delighted with how his team responded to the flashpoint.[/FONT][/SIZE][/CENTER]
[CENTER][SIZE=4][FONT=Avant Garde]“Their response shows how genuine these lads were. It’s how you react to setbacks - they reacted magnificently,” the former Dublin captain and manager said. [/FONT][/SIZE][/CENTER]
[CENTER][SIZE=4][FONT=Avant Garde]Despite being a growing problem in the GAA, a motion submitted by Wexford dual star Lee Chin’s club to have racial abuse tackled was ruled out of order for this year’s annual Congress. - See more at: http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=196169#sthash.nN7czuVa.dpuf[/FONT][/SIZE][/CENTER]
I’m guessing he got a straight red card for smacking the alleged racist party? If he was seen thumping a lad it is hard to see him getting off on appeal, even if the other lad deserved a box.
Saw Israel play in the schools AI final, was playing corner back that day. He looked a handy player. Thought it was typical of the GAA that at about 2pm he was lifting the schools cup and at 3pm he was expected to line out for Westmeath in the Leinster MFC.
I have every faith in Liam O’Neill, he’s a splendid administrator, I even saw him get a gate opened in Ennis on Saturday. On ground, in the boardroom, the man has it all, and a cheery disposition to go along with it.
I don’t think we are that bad overall, nothing like Oz anyway. Nevertheless it should be stamped out. I think educating coaches is the way to go. You can’t cover all the parents and you have to assume some of the parents are complete muppets, but if they hear from their coach about respecting backgrounds, colours & cultures you will get alot of lads. The majority of it is stupid idiot young lads throwing out stupid comments. However this is not an excuse.
Coaching qualifications need to one pre-requisite though for county teams at all levels. Otherwise piss off, you’re not that into coaching if you don’t want to do a Level 2 or 3.within that framework racism. Should be covered.
Another thing that works is introducing Irish (in this case) guys to the culture of the minority. Everyone should really know a little bit about where these people come from, be it China, Sudan or Eastern Europe and a little bit about their cultures. It breeds appreciation.
