Irish Article you might be interested in.

[clashoftheash]

At least Johnson used his hands - hitting with a hurl is plain cowardly
Wednesday November 2nd 2005

THE airwaves were a lot quieter yesterday in comparison to last Friday. There were other issues of national importance to protest against and the highly active Irish phone-in community was otherwise diverted.

However, three days is all it took, three days for the sinister events in Melbourne to be supplanted by some good old fashioned home-grown violence.

Not to be outdone by our Antipodean friends, the Laois county hurling final replay reclaimed the GAA's horror franchise with one staggering blow of a hurl to the head of a 15 year-old that left him unconscious and hospitalised before his release yesterday.

When Chris Johnson felled three Irish players as if they were extras in an episode of the A Team, at least he did it with his hands.

The Australians have been widely criticised for crossing the 'line of compromise' that exists so the fusion of Gaelic football and Australian Rules can continue to strengthen.

The compromise is that the professional Australians don't abuse the clear physical advantage they enjoy from spending anything up to 12 hours in the gym each week, compared to an amateur footballer who pushes the keys of a computer far more often than a dumb bell (as one Australian sportswriter put it this week).

Hurlers have a line of compromise to observe too. Every game, they undertake a trust that the hurls they carry will be used sensibly, honestly and for the sole purpose of what they are designed for. Regardless of what the provocation was, smashing a hurl into the head of a 15 year-old two minutes form the end of a county final replay represents the worst possible breakdown of that trust.

In another article devoted to the Laois final in this newspaper, the question of the presence of a 15 year-old in an adult match is raised. However, whether he was 15, 25 or even 35, to be rendered unconscious by a blow from the hurl of an opponent should be treated with the sternest action possible.

Once again, the GAA rules for such an act come under scrutiny. Rule 138 of the Official Guide governs misconduct on the field covering a variety of offences from abusing officials, to striking to second cautionable offences.

In another section, the penalties are specified. Striking with the hurl carries three months but the facility exists for the relevant committee to have 'due regard' for the gravity of each case. The eye witness accounts to Monday's assault are unambiguous.

When the Laois Hurling Board receives the referee's report and commences its investigation there should be no restriction on penalties once they can collate sufficient evidence. Striking with a hurl is seen as a similar offence to stamping, or striking with the head or boot but that shouldn't be the case.

Using a hurl is an act of cowardly aggression, it crosses that line of trust and demands more excessive penalties. Yet, it didn't shock like the sight of our best Gaelic footballers being pummelled around last Friday because we can easily absorb what can happen in a tempestuous county hurling final between two clubs with the history of rivalry that exists between Castletown and Camross.

Once again, the reputation of Laois hurling has been dragged through the mire. The victim may have been a teenager, the instrument a hurl and a state of unconsciousness may have resulted but it says something about the levels of acceptance of these incidents that they can be passed with a mere shrug of the shoulders by comparison to Melbourne.

It's time for the GAA rulebook to outlaw striking with the hurl and make it quite clear that it ranks as the most serious offence of all.

I've been trying to get this across now for a while but none of you seem to want to listen.

I amn't complaning about the violence (Apart from Johnsons). I condemn the reasons behind the violence. To me it seemed some australians were fighting just because they knew they'd win. Thats my problem with it.

I also don't want to see the IR series go back to becoming a boxing match either but i amn't complaining/whinging or otherwise about the violence itself. Just the reasons behind it.

Please note that before replying to me again.

 

[Bleed Red Cheer]

Striking with the hurl carries a three months suspension compared with (some, not all) striking with a hockey stick carrying a two minute penalty and you want to debate which is tougher.

 

[clashoftheash]

Striking with the hurl carries a three months suspension compared with (some, not all) striking with a hockey stick carrying a two minute penalty and you want to debate which is tougher.

Hockey = more padding then a pillow factory.
Hurling = no padding, maybe a helmet. (Optional).

Hockeys a joke of a "tough" game.

 

[Bleed Red Cheer]

Hockey = more padding then a pillow factory.
Hurling = no padding, maybe a helmet. (Optional).

Hockeys a joke of a "tough" game.

Helmets are for penises.

 

[clashoftheash]

Like Ice Hockey players ?

Padded to the last.

Hey whats rougher American Football or AFL ?

 

[Centimetre Perfect]

Re: Irish Article you might be interested in.

Hockey = more padding then a pillow factory.
Hurling = no padding, maybe a helmet. (Optional).

Hockeys a joke of a "tough" game.

Tell that to Trent Yawney, former Chicago Blackhawks player. I was at his last game. He got slammed into the boards so hard that it messed up his shoulder so bad that he eventually had to retire. Never played again.

Or Brett Lindros, who had so many concussions in his short career that he was forced to retire. The doctors said he probably wouldn't be able to stand one more good hit without risking some serious brain damage. Or his brother Eric, who's probably one good hit from the same situation.

Or Mats Sundin or Jeremy Roenick, who have gotten pucks in the face and broken orbital bones, etc.

Or Bryan Berard, who got an accidental stick in the eye, and had to undergo seven operations. Then a month after receiving the insurance settlement for what was regarded as a career-ending injury, he began working out again, and now, with 20/400 vision in the eye, is back playing in the NHL.

Or Pavel Bure, who has just announced his retirement, after attempting to come back from yet another knee injury and operation.

Or Bobby Baun, who was carried off in a stretcher in a Stanley Cup Final game, but refused to go to the hospital. He knew something was wrong with his leg. He just taped it up, took some painkillers, and returned to the ice to score the gamewinning goal in overtime. Turned out his leg was broken.

I could name MANY more. Thousands of teeth lost. Knee injuries. Broken bones. Concussions. Cuts. Bruises. The vast majority coming from LEGAL hits from another player (or accidently getting hit with the puck or a stick), during gameplay, usually NOT from some idiot just whacking someone with his stick as hard as he can -- although I'm not saying that doesn't happen. Just not as much as the media would have you believe, since every time it does happen, they report on it to death.

I'm not saying hurling isn't tough, too -- but if you think hockey ISN'T tough, you've obviously never played it, or seen a game played at a high level. There's a reason WHY they wear "more padding then a pillow factory", AND why you see so many t-shirts and stickers, etc over here that say "Give blood -- Play hockey".

 

[clashoftheash]

I'm not saying hurling isn't tough, too -- but if you think hockey ISN'T tough

I'm just getting tired of talking to walls. Yes i know Hockey is tough but its still very far from Hurling.

All of the incidents you just mentioned could happen in a couple weeks worth of hurling here.

In hurling its up to you to protect youself, the other guy can basically swing wherever he likes if the balls there whether or not your head is in the way doesn't matter one bit. Its up to you to stop him killing you and people do get killed playing hurling too often to think about.

I apologise, i know hockey is tough, theres a game in Scotland called shinty (It was a form of hurling but completely on the ground) which derives from Hurling.
Ice Hockey (One of many possible origins) derives from shinty which derives from Hurling.

"Others believe the game is an ice version of hurling, a wild Irish game with loose rules and injuries galore. Hurling, dating back centuries, was played with a brass ball, a stone, or a cow patty, and members of the losing team were often executed."

http://www.iihf.com/iihf/history/origins.htm <-- Origins of Ice Hockey

I'm just getting sick of trying to discuss things rationally because for every sane comment i make theres some eejit making 20 stupid ones.

He compared the "roughness" of hurling to lacrosse, how do you argue with someone that stupid ?

 

[Horsebox]

When was the last time someone was killed playing hurling?

 

[Centimetre Perfect]

I'm just getting sick of trying to discuss things rationally because for every sane comment i make theres some eejit making 20 stupid ones.

Fair enough. (but isn't that what message boards are all about? )

 

[Total Power]

Clash, why do you have to start an argument with everyone? no offence mate but ever since you are here you have started arguments only.This is an aussie form so ofcourse the biasness should be with the australians and each person is entitled to their own opinion, i believe ice hockey is a real tough sport, i havent played it but i have played NFL..trust me you'd need those pads very very much..a 300 lber running in opposing direction at full force and clashing against you can take your breath away easily , even with pads.I believe AFL requires more skill than NFL but NFL is definately tougher to play but its worthless to argue about which one is tougher, its a circular argument.At the end of the day no one wins, we all love sports.
Take a chill pill, enjoy the great game called AFL its offseason mate, this is the time you can learn something about AFL which will get you started for the season 2006 , enjoy

 

[clashoftheash]

When was the last time someone was killed playing hurling?

A young lad died in Waterford there a few months ago. Got a bang to the head but was presumed alright, played on for a few minutes and collapsed. Brain Hemorage i think.

Last year i think we had a couple of lads (One died, the others alright), one definately Kilkenny, think the other was Laois. (Unsure of the circumstances).

Its getting rarer especially with the introduction of helmets and compulsary wearing of them at underage levels but its still bad enough.

Clash, why do you have to start an argument with everyone?

I'm not, same argument it just shifted direction.

believe AFL requires more skill than NFL but NFL is definately tougher to play but its worthless to argue about which one is tougher, its a circular argument.

I wasn't arguing that, i asked yer man that question when he compared Hurling to Lacrosse.

 

[MightyFighting]

A young lad died in Waterford there a few months ago. Got a bang to the head but was presumed alright, played on for a few minutes and collapsed. Brain Hemorage i think.

Unbelievable. A few years ago, a Port Adelaide player collapsed on the field (I think it turned out to be a heart complaint). After he regained consciousness, they put him back on the field. I was disgusted. The AFL should have punished them severely for the sake of player safety.

 

[clashoftheash]

Unbelievable. A few years ago, a Port Adelaide player collapsed on the field (I think it turned out to be a heart complaint). After he regained consciousness, they put him back on the field. I was disgusted. The AFL should have punished them severely for the sake of player safety.

It is unbeliveable the ******** that sporting organisations can get away with. If that was in a business they'd be screwed.

I mean we all know, everyone here that the sports we play, no matter how inherently dangerous, that player safety must come first before anything.

I mean, a few lads have just "dropped" while playing Gaelic Football. There mightn't even be a knock involved but they simply "drop" because of blood clots or something else and its the level of training they do thats responsible.

Players of any sport who train so hard regardless of injuries, should all have regular checkups paid for by the organisations over them. Its inhumane otherwise.

I think this would probably apply more to us then to you because you already have top class care etc (Am i wrong ?)

Not that long ago, in GAA circles an injured player was seen as a pain in the neck. Come back when your fit.

Even worse, up to the 70's and maybe later most players thought a hamstring was something in a butchers shop window! I kid you not.

 

[Toots Hibbert]

Hockey = more padding then a pillow factory.
Hurling = no padding, maybe a helmet. (Optional).

Hockeys a joke of a "tough" game.

You're sounding like a hurling Nazi.

 

[clashoftheash]

You're sounding like a hurling Nazi.

Read on.

I'm just sick of being reasonable and making sane comments when all i get back is bull-s-h-i-t-e.

I know Hockeys not a pansys game and i understand the reasoning behind all the padding as well. Its still not in the same league as hurling though.

 

[Toots Hibbert]

Unbelievable. A few years ago, a Port Adelaide player collapsed on the field (I think it turned out to be a heart complaint). After he regained consciousness, they put him back on the field. I was disgusted. The AFL should have punished them severely for the sake of player safety.

Are you talking about Nathan Eagleton? I was at that game and I don't recall him coming back on! We were all very concerned about him. He had Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome which is a defect of the hearts conducting system. When he returned to football some weeks after having the condition corrected we called him Wolfie.

 

[nonchalance]

I'm just getting sick of trying to discuss things rationally because for every sane comment i make theres some eejit making 20 stupid ones.

Welcome to BigFooty.

 

[Joffaboy]

Read on.

I'm just sick of being reasonable and making sane comments when all i get back is bull-s-h-i-t-e.

I know Hockeys not a pansys game and i understand the reasoning behind all the padding as well. Its still not in the same league as hurling though.

Do they trip in hurling like the irish do in IR?

Seriously though. Why persist in this crusade? Hurling is a tough sport, Gaelic football is a tough sport (not as tough as hurling though) so is Rugby, so is la Crosse, so is AFl, so are a host of other physical contact sports.

Your premis to continue your rant about undue violence in the IR game is that the Australians overstepped the mark and instigated the rough tactics as they knew they would beat the Irish. The alternative view, put forward by quite a few posters here is that the Irish instigated most of the behind the play scuffles with niggling trippin and kicking of the Aussie players.

You then demand camera angles and footage, knowing full well that the only time the director will cut to a scuffle is when it has already broken out. The game is so quick that the directors brief, like in most games, is to stay on the action ie the ball. So youR continued bleating for camera footage while not acknowledging the views of posters who were actually at the game and reported the behind the play dirty tactics of the Irish, is dis ingeniune in the extreme.

Just deal with the fact that Aussies dont like getting tripped or kicked, especially in the nuts. If you cant handle that or completely dismiss that, thats your misfortune, just dont whinge when the Irish start it and the Aussies finish it.
If the boot was on the other foot, I'm sure you would be so firm in your views. From my point of a viewif an Aussie was kicking and tripping an irish player behind play, they deserve everything they get. Talk the talk, walk the walk, or STFU.

 

[Toots Hibbert]

Like Ice Hockey players ?

Padded to the last.

Hey whats rougher American Football or AFL ?

Err, American football in the sense that they would hit much harder. My understanding is that many gridiron players have major injury problems when their careers are over and that the number of years they can play is less than in Aussie Rules because of the toll that injury takes on players in many positions in their game.

 

[Horsebox]

I think you'll find Joffaboy that you are the one bringing all that stuff back up again so why don't YOU let it go. Now he'll have to respond to your latest post thus the cyle goes on and on and on and on.......

 

[Horsebox]

Err, American football in the sense that they would hit much harder. My understanding is that many gridiron players have major injury problems when their careers are over and that the number of years they can play is less than in Aussie Rules because of the toll that injury takes on players in many positions in their game.

Unless you're the quarterback. Vinnie Testaverde must be nearly due his free bus pass at this stage!

 

[clashoftheash]

Do they trip in hurling like the irish do in IR?

One incident on camera, just one.

Your premis to continue your rant about undue violence in the IR game is that the Australians overstepped the mark and instigated the rough tactics as they knew they would beat the Irish

1. Obviously you didn't listen to one word i said.

2. Not once did i ever say we would have beatn you only for the violence in the second test.

3. Not once did i complain about the violence as violence (apart from Johnsons tackle). I was complaining about the reasoning behind the violence. It seemed that many Aussies were fighting just to fight and many seemed to be enjoying it.

That was my problem.

The alternative view, put forward by quite a few posters here is that the Irish instigated most of the behind the play scuffles with niggling trippin and kicking of the Aussie players.

Ah yes, the concept that doesn't exist in Gaelic Football but you have pinned on us anyways ?

Honestly now, just for one second. Can you honestly accuse us of something we don't do ? I've never heard of this concept before now. Are you honestly suggesting that we just did it in this match and never before and never again ? Where did it come from ? Where did we get the idea ?

Wheres the video evidence of one of these ?

So youR continued bleating for camera footage while not acknowledging the views of posters who were actually at the game and reported the behind the play dirty tactics of the Irish, is dis ingeniune in the extreme.

Oh yes the 2 or 3 people here who didn't "see" anything until Sheedy made his comments and then they "seen" it happening because they were there.

especially in the nuts.

What in gods name do i have to do ??

Watch the game again. He was being held down to the ground by the neck and the Aussie throwing punches into his face. He had every right to knee, kick, bite or anything else to get the Aussie off him.

How can you condemn a kick in the nuts when the player who recieved it was holding down the player who delt it by one hand whilst throwing punches into his face with the other. How ?

rr, American football in the sense that they would hit much harde

I wasn't actually asking, it was more a statement.

 

[Horsebox]

Here Joffaboy, just saw a new aussie poster on www.gaaboard.com use that Aer Lingus joke you posted a couple of days ago and he also said "stop sooking FFS". Are you broadening your horizons? Or is that joke more common than I think. (Never heard it before you told it). Tell the truth now.

 

[Total Power]

For ********s sake give it a rest, no one gives a rats arse about IR, i'd suggest clash stop trolling here and go to GAA board with your anti aussie propaganda

 

[Milkman]

My understanding is that many gridiron players have major injury problems when their careers are over and that the number of years they can play is less than in Aussie Rules because of the toll that injury takes on players in many positions in their game.

Not true. There are a lot of blokes pushing 40 who still play in the NFL.