John 3:7 is the probably the Biblical text best known to GAA followers, though few could probably tell you what it advises, writes An Fear Rua …

It is a passage where Christ tells his followers: ‘Do not be surprised because I tell you, ‘You must all be born again’’. That it has entered into the folklore of Dis Great Assooosheeeeayshun Of Ours – despite its exact meaning being unknown to many – is a tribute to the indefatigable efforts of the carrier of the ‘3:7’ placard, John ‘Christian’ Hogan from Limerick.

Other Biblical texts come to mind from time to time in a GAA context. We have seen more than a few Lazarus-like recoveries in this year’s football championship qualifiers. The story of Lazarus is also in John - Chapter 11, verses 1 to 44. However, Matthew 19:13-15 is another text that might well be reflected on with care by GAA officialdom and stewards. Don’t worry! You don’t have to go rummaging in the attic for Auntie Mabel’s dog-eared copy of the King James Authorised Version, because AFR will enlighten you. Matthew 19:13-15 is this story:
13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

The GAA as an organisation stands in stark contrast to other sports organisations, not least in the way its officials and stewards treat its tens of thousands of players and fans – including children - attending games. These thoughts were prompted by a recent trek An Fear Rua made to Tolka Park, in Dublin, with a young nephew and niece in tow. It was the Sunday of the Leinster hurling final, but even the promise of witnessing once again the magic skills of The Bould D J Carey were not sufficient to outweigh the prospect of a one-sided dull-as-ditchwater game against Wexford. So, family duties prevailed, and it was off to Tolka to see Shelbourne take on the mighty Celtic, the Triple Champions of Scotland.

First off, the physical contrast between Tolka Park and the nearby Croker couldn’t possibly be greater. Croke Park is rapidly heading towards being one of the greatest sports stadia in these islands (Paddy ‘The Kingdom’ Teahon and De Man Dey Call Ahern - please note - before you squander a cool billion of the hard-pressed taxpayers’ smackeroos on De Bow-wel Dey Call Ahern’s!). But not even a smattering of tattered Eircom flags and bunting and row upon row of brightly coloured plastic bucket seats – and a tiny, new, modern stand – could disguise the reality that Tolka is not far off being a dump. And that, despite all the money that was passed - and pissed - through the FAI during the halcyon days of Jack Charlton!

However, at every step in Tolka, officials and stewards met AFR and the kids with nothing but kindness and consideration. There were numerous helpful enquiries about did we know where our seats were, lots of pointing out of the toilets and even the track-suited young men serving in the shop were the very essence of good manners and civility. The queue to the shop itself was well organised, orderly and quite safe to let a pair of eight year olds off to on their own.

Contrast this, if you will, with Croke Park, which always seems to be festooned with ‘No Go’, ‘Forbidden’ and similar exhortatory signs, such that the ordinary fan is afraid of putting a foot wrong for fear of being frog marched out of the ground by a surly, burly ‘security’ person in matching black suit and sun glasses. Then there’s the ridiculous situation of having to join a chaotic and unruly queue for about three different ‘shops’ in order to assemble a hot dog, a soft drink and maybe a bar of chocolate. Has the GAA never heard of the concept of the ‘one stop’ shop? And what is the Mulvihill’s Law that dictates that the seat numbers on your tickets are always at the opposite end of the row from whatever Maor you happen to ask directions from?


Now, while the ‘official’ atmosphere in Croke Park may be more than off-putting, there’s no doubt the fans are probably the best in the world for their enthusiasm, loyalty, humour and good behaviour. Contrast this with the ridiculous behaviour of the Celtic fans at the recent Tolka game – mindless, humourless barracking, sectarian song after sectarian song, and chants of ‘Up The ‘RA!’ Poor ‘Seán South of Garryowen’ would probably be highly offended if he knew his ballad was being sung at a so-called ‘foreign’ game. And all of this at a so-called ‘friendly’ against poor Shelbourne! It was sad to see little six or seven year olds, accompanied by their fathers, dressed from head to toe in perfect replica Celtic rig outs being introduced to this nonsensical version of ‘football’ at such an early age.

Two sports venues in our capital city, no more than a mile from each other, yet light years apart in terms of the contrasting behaviour and attitudes of officials and fans… The real paradox being, perhaps, that it's the generally good-humoured GAA fans who have to face the sternest officials and stewards. Another GAA hangover from the dark Ireland of the Thirties, Forties and Fifties when it was considered alright to go to see some event, but don't you dare enjoy yourself?

However, the GAA has no reason to be complacent, nor patronising towards soccer in its approach to kids. In fact, in AFR’s experience, there is a huge difference in approach to under-age teams between the two codes. In soccer, it’s well-organised and supervised, games start on time, teams are properly togged out, referees are properly trained but, above all, the approach of mentors is to encourage all the players and give everyone on the team a chance. Take everything good about under-age soccer, reverse it, and you have a fair idea of what under-age GAA is like in most counties. Far too many juvenile teams don’t have a proper First Aid kit. Worst of all, is the kind of ‘do-or-die’ or ‘win-at-all-costs’ approach bellowed along the sidelines by team mentors to even the very youngest of GAA teams. While in under-age soccer the position of referees and line officials is respected, in juvenile Gaelic games, these poor misfortunates are often the butt of sustained vulgar abuse, and occasionally, physical assault.

Indeed, the schizoid approach of the GAA to children - the source of our future players and officials - is underlined by the huge reduction in the number of family tickets made available for big championship matches this year. Asking parents to pay IR£18 for themselves and the same amount for each of their kids is a discouragement to bring children to big games to see their heroes in action. And even when Family Tickets are available they are not widely advertised. The ‘New’ Croke Park should include a special Family Area with reduced prices at all games. AFR understands some British Premiership clubs already operate such areas successfully and these should be looked at. Why not have a ‘Kids’ Club’ in each county, where they would get a pack several times a year with a membership badge, newsletter, stickers, posters and so on, to be used as a channel for distributing Family Tickets? AFR has no doubt there’s many a company would love to sponsor such an initiative by the GAA.

In the old days, in many parts of Ireland, the GAA was – literally – ‘The Only Game in Town’. That is no longer the case. The attitudes, which pertained in this monopoly situation, are no longer relevant in a 21st century where there are multiple competitors for the hearts and minds of our young people…

Related 'Vote On It!' Poll:
Do ‘De Soccer Crowd’ look after Kids better than the GAA?