DONEGAL legend Pauric McShea has questioned whether Seán Cavanagh should be the one raising concerns about the ugly practice of ‘sledging’ in Gaelic games.
McShea – full-back on the first Donegal sidee to land the Anglo Celt Cup in 1972 – agrees that there is no place for the malicious practice in our sports. And he has no doubt that the issues brought up by the Moy clubman are a genuine scourge to Gaelic Games.
But he wonders why the Tyrone man has chosen to speak out now, 13 seasons since his senior inter-county debut for the Red Hand outfit. But three All-Ireland titles and four Ulster Championships later, the timing of Cavanagh’s comments seem to be what has irked the Tír Chonaill man most.
McShea says that there was a ‘malicious’ streak in that Tyrone side and he questions why Cavanagh’s worries weren’t highlighted back then.
McShea said: "After Tyrone’s defeat in Ballybofey last Sunday I found their captain Seán Cavanagh’s comments about what took place on the pitch during the game simply incredible.
“He spoke at length about the amount of ‘sledging’ that went on during the game and he was also critical of referee Joe McQuillan for not clamping down on the cynical behaviour that took place.
“Cavanagh also said that he was surprised to hear that Justin McMahon, his Tyrone teammate, was criticised for his ‘rough house’ tactics on Michael Murphy and that he hadn’t seen the game back.
“This, from someone who was on the pitch, is an incredible statement…because 17,500 spectators at the game saw McMahon’s behaviour for 73 minutes in MacCumhaill Park.
“There is no ambiguity in relation to McMahon’s carry-on in this encounter. From the throw-in, he hassled, pushed and dragged Murphy non-stop and it was pathetic to see him with his back to the ball and in Murphy’s face…
“This behaviour by McMahon was the main reason that the game was played in a hostile atmosphere and how he was allowed stay on the pitch for the duration of the match I will never know.”
McShea also hit out at Cavanagh’s own behaviour in Ballybofey. He said that if the Tyrone man wants to see change, the best way to instigate it was by setting an example himself.
He added: “Cavanagh himself on one occasion lay on the pitch after a harmless tackle as if he was hit by a bus…This was bad sportsmanship and disappointing to witness. Therefore, his comments on Monday leave a lot to be desired.
“McMahon’s tactics were clearly devised by the Tyrone manager Mickey Harte and that is disappointing. That type of play does not get the desired result. Indeed, Michael Murphy deserves great credit for not allowing himself react to the degree of provocation he was subjected to throughout the game.”
