Dear Members,
It has unfortunately come to
Club's attention that an incident of verbal abuse of a referee has taken place at a game involving one of our teams in the past weeks.

To think this is still going on is deplorable, disgraceful, embarrassing and completely unacceptable.

The club operates a zero tolerance approach to all kinds of abuse and the abuse of referees is chief among them.

Referees are human beings. They can make mistakes. Players make mistakes. Managers make mistakes. Administrators make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes.

Why anyone who attends our games, whether they be a member or not, feels empowered, licenced to or at liberty to engage with any officials in any manner is beyond the pale, behaviour of the weak, immature and petulant.
We really thought we had moved beyond this type of behaviour but obviously not.

If someone wants to attend our games in a supportive manner and feels entitled to behave this way then they are in the wrong club and wrong environment. And need to go elsewhere. It is simply not acceptable in St Pats GAA Club.

We are asking all our mentors, coaches and managers to forcefully remind their teams about the code of ethics, code of behaviour and to remind parents that supporting their child's team comes with certain responsibilities. If you can't adhere to those then stay away. You're not wanted.

It's as simple as that.
Regards
Rory O'Neill
Chairperson.stpatricksdonabate.dublin@gaa.ie