‘Code of silence condoning violence must stop’, says Duffy

GAA Director General Páraic Duffy has criticised the failure of Dublin and Armagh to co-operate with the investigation into the incident that left Dublin player Davy Byrne hospitalised last summer.

In his annual report to next month’s annual congress Duffy said that the reputation of the association is damaged by such episodes.

“One of the most disappointing events of the past year arose from incidents in an Armagh v Dublin challenge match in early July. Dublin footballer Davy Byrne received nasty facial injuries, an incident which, it would appear, led to a brawl involving a number of players . . .

“The efforts of CCCC [Central Competitions Control Committee] to investigate the matter followed an all too depressing pattern. Even though the name of the player alleged to have been responsible for Davy Byrne’s injury was in general circulation, no assistance was forthcoming from the counties in bringing the player to account.”

Duffy said that when players and officials from both sides had attended a meeting of the CCCC, no-one had provided any information about what had happened.

“Given the unwillingness of either county to co-operate in identifying any of the guilty parties, the only option available to CCCC was the proposal of a fine, a penalty that was subsequently imposed at a hearing.

“It will probably be considered naïve on my part to criticise the position taken by the counties, but the misguided loyalty that protects players who engage in violent behaviour on the pitch can only be seen by those concerned with the good of the game, as a failure of leadership.

“Group solidarity is one thing; a code of silence that condones violence is quite another. And this is not just an issue for the counties involved in this incident.

“While a county may be pleased at avoiding the consequences of ill-disciplined behaviour, the reputation of the GAA suffers on such occasions. Moreover, a very negative message is sent to clubs and players at all levels about the need for discipline in the playing of our games.

“Is it really too much to expect that a player or official in these situations will stand up and say, ‘Sorry, I did it and I accept the consequences’? We have all witnessed how elite professional sport has lost much of its integrity through a loss of genuine sporting values. Codes of silence and cover-ups remind us that Gaelic games are not immune to such damage.”