Down hurling manager says players suffered sectarian abuse after Carlow match

"It was really disappointing."

Down hurling manager Ronan Sheehan said his players suffered sectarian abuse following their Allianz Hurling League win over Carlow on Sunday. Sheehan took to social media to express his displeasure at the alleged sectarian language used against his players during the game. Carlow GAA said the alleged incident was being investigated.

Down players suffered sectarian abuse, says manager Ronan Sheehan.

"Extremely disappointing to come into dressing room to hear my players were being called prods, brits and black b******s throughout the game... no place in the GAA for that," Sheenan tweeted from his personal Twitter account. The Down manager also spoke with Sky Sports following the game. "I was chatting to a few of the boys, and they were referencing what had been said to them, and the fact they had taken sustained commentary...slurs," he said. "I knew the moment I put it up on social media it would draw a reaction." "I think the GAA will take it seriously, I think they will do their best to investigate it - but ultimately it will come down to 'they said, we said, she said.'" Sheehan said that because he highlighted alleged abuse of his players, it will make others be "more careful about what they say" as a result. "People might say, 'it's only a wind-up'. But in my dressing room, I have a number of players who are from mixed marriages. "So we are a team that is all religions involved. It's probably the unique nature of Down hurling, particularly on the Ards Peninsula." "When they make those comments, they might make them as throw-away comments. But they are hurtful to some of the players involved because of their family background."

Carlow's statement following Sheehan's comments.

Carlow GAA released the following statement after Sheehan's comments: "Carlow GAA are committed to upholding the principles of Anti-Sectarianism and Anti-Racism. All related reports/allegations are investigated and action taken as appropriate."