Sickening stuff.
A challenge game between Wexford and Tipperary has been blown up early after a fan reportedly racially abused Lee Chin.
There was only a minute left on the clock when the incident happened and resulted in the referee calling time on the match.
The Tipperary senior hurlers were playing the game in Pairc na nEalai, Carrick on Suir. The match was in aid of Ryan O’Dwyer, a fan is paralysed from the waist down.
Wexford’s challenge match with Tipperary has been blown up a minute early, forward Lee Chin racially abused by a home supporter, sickening stuff,
— Dean Goodison (@deangoodison) April 8, 2023
Wexford manager Darragh Egan didn’t want to get into the incident afterwards, but did praise his players’ response as they didn’t get involved with the fan on a physical level.
Tipperary GAA released a statement on the matter, on Saturday evening. The county’s PRO stated that ‘as the game entered the closing stages, a member of the public who is not connected to either Tipperary or the Carrick Swan club made racial comments which were directed at a member of the Wexford team’.
Statement in relation to senior hurling challenge between Tipperary and Wexford pic.twitter.com/1ZEToSIr77
— Tipperary GAA (@TipperaryGAA) April 8, 2023
‘It’s becoming more of an issue for me’ – Lee Chin on dealing with abusive comments
In an old interview with Irish Independent, Chin had spoken out against the abuse he has received on and off the pitch, and how he wants to help put a stop to it. “I’ve been putting up with this kind of abuse for my entire life,’ he said.
“Now at this stage, it feels like it is getting a bit more personal. It’s becoming more of an issue for me, and it’s not just me having to put up with this.
Kudos for how Wexford players dealt with it, they were visually disgusted and challenged the culprit but didn’t raise hands, manager Darragh Egan didn’t want to get into the incident but did praise his players response.
— Dean Goodison (@deangoodison) April 8, 2023
“There are younger people of mixed races who are coming up against this too. Some of them may just listen to some of the things being said to them and think, ‘Is it worth this at all? I’m not going to bother,'” Mr Chin said.
“And they, like me, would really love the sport. I have learnt in my own way to deal with it when I’m playing, but the only reason I am speaking out about this is to try and make sure younger GAA players don’t have to face this.
“Someone needs to put a stop to this. Young players need to know that they can report what is being said and that there will be consequences.”
Related links:
- Glimpses of 2022 Armagh make a return as they easily defeat Antrim
- Things go from terrible to worse for Donegal as star player leaves panel
- Late free drama as Lee Chin leads Wexford’s great escape against Galway
