Meath manager Andy McEntee saw himself splashed across the back of the Sunday newspapers after his side controversially lost to Tyrone after extra-time on Saturday.
David McWilliams and Johnny Ward joined Joe Molloy on the Sunday Paper Review to discuss McEntee’s decision to come onto the pitch at the full-time whistle to voice his discontent with the refereeing performance of Paddy Neilan.
Joe Molloy shared his concerns about the behaviour of McEntee and how his actions will influence impressionable youngsters.
“Joe Schmidt wouldn’t lose control - Joe Schmidt wasn’t happy with the referee yesterday – Andy McEntee did,” Molloy said.
“And the trickledown economics at the Under-8s...what do you think is happening?”
Johnny Ward defended the referee’s performance in light of the “difficulties” of officiating in Gaelic games.
But McWilliams, an Irish economist writer, does not believe the misbehaviour of senior figures in the GAA is a standalone event in the Irish sporting scene.
“On the sideline of all sports you get the crazy Dad. And I have come up close to them in football,” McWilliams said.
“And the Dad really believes that their young fella is [Lionel] Messi. And he has two feet. And you get the crazy Moms too.
“So I don’t think the GAA is the exclusive preserve of the crazy Mums and the crazy Dads.”
James Hopper
