Geraghty's Aussie shame
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A stand had to be taken against Graham Geraghty. Former Meath star Liam Hayes called the whole incident a storm in a teacup, but rather it should be viewed as a valuable lesson for the GAA
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By Dan O'Neill
I must say that I have very little sympathy for the plight of Graham Geraghty after his racial abuse of a young South African opponent in Ireland's first game of their Aussie compromise rules tour.
A fortnight ago, Geraghty was the toast of the GAA world as he lifted the Sam Maguire at Croke Park. An impressive display in the final capped a magnificent season for the All Ireland-winning captain. However, the euphoria of it all must seem a distant memory after his fall from grace this week.
Geraghty's moment of madness last week in Melbourne has made back page headlines in Australia and Ireland.
He has admitted calling his 17-year-old opponent a ``black cunt'' during their clash with the AFL Academy.
This was bad enough, but the attempts of the Irish manager, Colm O'Rourke, to hide the story showed a complete misunderstanding of the seriousness of the incident.
On the night of the game, in response to a question concerning Geraghty's apparent apology to the player in question, Damien Cupido, O'Rourke dismissed the matter as an altercation over a tackle. It was only when the story appeared in the Melbourne Age that the truth emerged. Geraghty's post-match apology was indeed due to his racist abuse of the young player. There was an immediate intervention by a match official, who pointed out that such abuse amounted to ``racial vilification''.
apology was accepted by the young Aussie Rules player and his father stated that no offence was taken.
We then had O'Rourke's press conference, in which we were told that Geraghty had a couple of sleepless nights and would not be subject to any disciplinary action. Losing a couple of winks was punishment enough, it seems.
Thankfully, in stepped GAA President Joe McDonagh, who grasped the importance of the issue. Geraghty was banned from playing in the first test with the Aussies last Friday. The GAA then reiterated it's opposition to ``any racist remarks by player or officials''.
We all know that Geraghty is no white supremacist and I believe from his point of view that it was a casual remark in the heat of the moment rather than naked prejudice but at the end of the day insulting someone because of their identity or racial origin is wrong - as simple as that! But until McDonagh's intervention the Irish officials failed to see the bigger issue.
The whole incident and reaction to it must be seen in light of Australia's fight to eliminate racism from sport in recent years.
In 1995, the governing body of Aussie Rules responded to endemic racial abuse within their game by introducing Rule 30, a rule ``to combat racial and religious vilification''. A mandatory education programme on racism for all players was introduced.
The most infamous case of racial abuse within the game was that of leading player Spider Everitt, caught on TV directing a racist comment at an Aborigine opponent. He was fined £20,000 and had a four-match ban imposed.
There was also the case of Collingwood President Allan McAllister, who said that Aborigines were welcome in football as long as they ``behaved like whites''.
The theory that what is said on the pitch should be left on the pitch was no longer acceptable. A sentiment I agree with.
This was why a stand had to be taken against Graham Geraghty. Former Meath star Liam Hayes, writing in the Ireland on Sunday, called the whole incident a storm in a teacup, but rather it should be viewed as a valuable lesson for the GAA.
Coming from a culturally homogeneous society as the GAA does, racial discrimination has not been a big issue in the game. However, this does not mean that it hasn't happened. Racial taunts have occasionally surfaced in GAA circles - leading players Jason Sherlock and Sean Og O'Ailpín will testify to this.
In future, Ireland will become a more multicultural society and racial issues within the game may increase. We don't want the GAA to become like football in the North or in England, ripe with sectarianism and racism.
No action taken against the Meath captain may have been seen a case of condoning racism in sport Racism in sport is a very serious issue and should not be approached lightly.
Geraghty will start Friday's second test with the Aussies. Let's hope he and the GAA have learnt this lesson.
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