GAA may play youth games in silence if parents don’t keep mum

Such is the pressure touch line parents are putting on their children, the GAA is considering a revolutionary plan to play under-age matches in complete silence. GAA President Liam O’Neill revealed plans for a ban on shouting at U6 and U8 level, as he launched a massive charity walk in Galway this week.

The Laois man was launching a unique charity walk, entitled 100,000 Steps for Cormac, in memory of Cormac Connolly of the famed Castlegar hurling clan who was just 24 when he died from cancer four years ago.

The walk – which will pass through every village and parish in the county that has ever won an All-Ireland club title – will take place over three days at the end of August and aims to raise €100,000 for Pieta House.

Walkers will be joined by dozens of All-Ireland winning captains in all codes, as well as most of Galway’s GAA All-Stars and a host of Galway’s own GAA legends.

The GAA President launched the walk in front of sporting celebrities – led by the Connollys themselves, John, Joe and Michael – that also included former Tipperary captain Tommy Dunne, former Meath captain Tommy Dowd and Kilkenny hurling legend of the sixties Jim Treacy.

Former Galway stars present included footballers Liam Sammon, Kevin Walsh, Ray Silke, Bosco McDermott, Colie McDonagh and Johnny Hughes; hurling legends present included Brendan Lynskey, Pat Malone, Conor Hayes, Iggy Clarke, Sean Silke and most of the Galway heroes of the eighties.

See full story and coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune.