Protestant GAA star hounded out by vile taunts

A PROTESTANT GAA player has quit the game over sectarian abuse by rival players, he claimed yesterday.

Darren Graham (25) from Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, whose soldier father and two uncles were shot dead by the IRA, said he was hounded out because of his religion.

He vowed never to wear his club jersey again until he gets a full apology, after storming off a pitch in disgust after years of alleged taunting.

His decision to walk away is a major blow to the GAA's efforts to widen its appeal and attract more Protestants.

The Lisnaskea Emmets hurler, who has represented his county at Under-21 level, is believed to be the only-non Catholic player in Fermanagh.

Darren was just three weeks old when his father Cecil, who was a member of the UDR, was shot and fatally wounded by the IRA.

Two of Darren's uncles, Ronnie and Jimmy Graham, who both served in the UDR as well, were also shot dead by the IRA in 1981 and 1985.

He said he was giving up the sport altogether because of persistent sectarian abuse from certain players in three clubs in particular.

Darren, who works as a joiner with local firm the Clarke Group, stressed he got on well with those within his own club and with people in his local community.

"It just came to a head. Something bad (was said) on the field: 'You're a black c***.' Then another ran by and said: 'It's the truth, you're nothing but that'."

It was not until 2001 that a controversial ban on any members of Northern Ireland's security forces joining the organisation was lifted.

But Darren's religion and background never stopped him becoming involved from the age of 12.

"I just loved the sport. All my mates were going up to it and I just decided I wanted to play the sport. Everyone knew I was a Protestant."

It was only once he started to progress that the harassment began in earnest, he revealed.

Mr Graham, whose two-year-old daughter is being raised as a Catholic, said: "I've been getting it from opponents and supporters. It's been happening up through the ranks but not really bad until I got to senior level, when I was 18.

"It's definitely because I'm a Protestant. No-one else on the pitch would get it half as bad."

Minority

"I've been told Protestants shouldn't be allowed in the GAA. I know it's a minority, but it's happening. Everybody knows it, but I never pushed it any higher."

"What's the point? Nothing is going to be done about it."

The abuse has been worst during Lisnaskea Emmets derby clashes with local rivals, he added.

Finally, on Sunday, he walked off during a match against Brookeborough.

"I told my club I was quitting and I'm not going back until something is done about it.

"The last words said to us going out on the pitch that day were: 'Enjoy it'. How can you enjoy something like that?

"The GAA is asking for Protestants to get more into the sport. But what's the point if they are going to listen to stuff like that?"

Lisnaskea Emmets chairman, Barry King, who plays alongside Darren in the Lisnaskea senior team, confirmed that Darren had not made an official complaint to the club of sectarian abuse from opposing players. But, he insisted that it was not something the club would endorse.

He told the Irish Independent last night that until they considered the situation, they would be making no further comment.

Fermanagh County Board spokeswoman Deirdre Donnelly said they could not comment on an individual case until an official complaint is made.

"If Darren has an issue he should go through his club and then on through the County Board."

Ms Donnelly did, however, stress that tough action would be taken against any such intimidation.