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WALSHY ON WEDNESDAY – DONEGAL’S LEADING SPORTS COLUMNBy Paddy WalshWalshyRACISM AND CHELSEA Some years back, I was standing at a pedestrian crossing near O’Connell Bridge in Dublin city centre waiting for the lights to change. There were a handful of us there all getting ready for the green signal when a passing car slowed down to a crawl and the driver’s window was rolled down and the black man standing beside me, who was also waiting to cross, was subjected to a spitful of racist comments including a reminder for him to go back home, before the vehicle drove off at speed.There would have been still no excuse had the car contained a group of teenagers but these – there were four of them in all – were men in their thirties or forties. Old enough to obviously know better.I glanced over at the victim of these verbal assaults and, for some reason, mouthed an apology of sorts to him and he, in turn, shook his head with a facial expression that suggested ‘what can you do about it?’ before we went our separate ways.I say, for some reason, because afterwards when I thought about it I wondered why I had even attempted to apologise for something I hadn’t personally done. On reflection it was probably an attempt to inform him that we weren’t all like that and it didn’t reflect the views of Irish society as a whole. Or I hoped it didn’t. And so to the Paris Metro incident last week. Here, too, a black man going about his business when a group of men, described as Chelsea supporters, who should also have known better refused to let him board the train and chanted of their pride at being racist.Naturally, much media coverage has ensued and Chelsea have been quick to issue an apology on behalf of the club. But should they have been apologising in the first place? I realise these “fans” were on their way to “support” the team in their Champions League match in the French capital and were, to some degree, representing the club (indeed could even have been season ticket holders). But should a club be held accountable for the actions of some of their fans in such incidents? Their players, yes. Their officials, yes. The manager and coaching staff, yes. But supporters are not employed by the club and while there would be a case had the racist action taken place inside Stamford Bridge, surely there is nothing a club can do if these “fans” opt to be racist at a train station far removed from the football ground?Chelsea are taking action to ensure those responsible – technology has helped root them out – are banned for life from all future matches at the Bridge and that’s a credit to the club. But I’m not sure if they should be issuing apologies in such cases when the racist louts themselves don’t appear to be bothered to do so.If a couple of Chelsea followers were nabbed for breaking and entering or causing an affray would the club be issuing an apology for them too? To be sure, clubs can do their best to stamp out all forms of racism and intimidation but should they really be held responsible for the actions and words of those who choose to follow them?McENIFF, ROONEY AND THAT BAN If Finn Harps had not entered the League of Ireland in 1969 or any other subsequent year, Donegal’s All-Ireland title success in 1992 may have been derailed. And John Rooney might have gone on to a starring career with the now defunct Cork Hibernians.John who? John Rooney. Remember him? Donegal man. Played with the famous Leesiders club back in the day when the Hibs were one of the best teams in the country and the best supported. Rooney eventually quit the club and went on to one or two other sporting achievements including, oh yes, leading his county to an All-Ireland success.Those of you well acquainted with the story will know that said ‘John Rooney’ was actually Brian McEniff – those of you who didn’t will have enjoyed the former Donegal manager reflecting on his time in Cork in his column in Monday’s Donegal People’s Press/Donegal Democrat.Previewing next weekend’s National League fixture between Donegal and Cork, the well known G.A.A. head referred to his two year stint with Hibernians at a time when the infamous Ban was in place. “For obvious reasons the entry of Finn Harps into the League of Ireland ended my days in the League of Ireland. Harps were going to be playing Cork Hibs and my cover was going to be blown and as my first loyalty was to G.A.A. and playing with Bundoran and Donegal I did not want to pick up a ban,” Brian recalled. Highly likely indeed that he would have been instantly recognised trotting out on to the turf at Finn Park or Flower Lodge with Harps in opposition. But just imagine had he gone on to risk a ban and consequently committed himself to Hibs and a career in the League of Ireland? Would Mr. Samuel Maguire have arrived in the Hills in ’92?I remember hearing the ‘John Rooney’ story many years back from former Harps boss, Patsy McGowan, who, at the time, was well acquainted of the McEniff link with the Cork club.But reading the man himself’s article this week got me thinking of all those other players caught between the Ban and a hard place when the G.A.A. ruled with an iron fist and you didn’t step over the line – particularly if there was a soccer pitch at the other side of it.And going back close to thirty years, I can recall reporting on the Donegal County Convention when a handful of delegates couldn’t even bring themselves to say the ‘S’ word for fear it would contaminate the air around them and bring Gaelic Games into disrepute or – the hell of all hells – inadvertently convert someone to the heathen sport.All change, of course, since those embittered times and the G.A.A. is all the better for it and all the stronger.EXCELLENCE PERSONIFIED The Centre of Excellence in ConvoyAt long last. A G.A.A. Centre of Excellence to be proud of. Perfectly laid pitches including covered benches for substitutes; superbly appointed changing rooms and a main building that represents state of the art architecture and facilities; and a spacious tarmacadamed car parking area where you can park the bus and many more of them besides. And a 2,000 seater stand in the plans also.In short a credit to all involved in its backing, construction and maintenance.Now could someone from the Owenbeg Centre of Excellence near Dungiven – to which I paid my first visit last Saturday – please contact us in Donegal to let us know how it was done?LEAGUE HOTTING UP AFTER DUBAIDonegal manager Rory Gallagher.From Dubai to Downings, from Persian to Perishing, the lads are back from their week in the United Arab Emirates and after their overnight workout in Donegal’s own Dubai are settling down to the task confronting them when Cork roll into Ballyshannon protecting the only 100% record in Division 1.Rory Gallagher’s men, sitting on two points after wins and defeats respectively against Derry and Dublin, will hopefully go into action fully refreshed and focused as they bid to knock their visitors off top spot.Cork had narrow victories over Monaghan and the Dubs in their previous rounds but looked an impressive unit in both games. Expect another tight encounter with home advantage swaying it (though, of course, some of us don’t call Ballyshannon home!).DESERT CLASSICThe McGinley brother who didn’t hit three hole-n-ones!And hardly had one group of Donegal sportsmen vacated the hot spots of Dubai, than another – well one individual at any rate – was putting it about – well, actually he wasn’t putting at all at least over three holes – on the lush green course of the Creek Golf and Yacht Club and demonstrating his much more famous brother isn’t the only one in the family with some devastating technique.A hole-in-one is undoubtedly something to shout home about – three is six days on the same course is par to an achievement even the professionals couldn’t handle.Picture the scene: February 12th and Michael McGinley (up to now known better as the brother of Paul) is lining up a tee shot on the fourth hole. And one drive is all it takes.February 13th and he’s on the fifth from where he lets fly. Cue – okay, wrong sport – a second hole-in-one. Par three, eat your heart out.But Michael isn’t finished yet. Four days later: He tees off from the eighth and in it goes again!“Achieving two holes in one in two days was something special, however the third really is unbelievable,” says the man with strong Dunfanaghy links.Apparently, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood are joint holders of the course record of 63 but you can bet your bottom dollar – or maybe theirs, they have a lot more to bet with – that neither has managed what Michael McGinley has achieved in the space of half a dozen days.Classic! Desert Classic at that… MARK IN TOP GEAR Mark EnglishJerry Kieran reckons Mark English is our best hope of a medal in next month’s European Indoor Athletics Championships in Prague and you won’t find this column arguing with him.The R.T.E. pundit described the Letterkenny man as the “certainty” of last weekend’s National Indoors event in Athlone and so it proved. True, he was made to work for his gold in the 800 metres final with Declan Murray and defending title holder, Niall Tuohy, running him close but the former Letterkenny A.C. athlete had, it must be remembered, been shopping for a European qualifying time the previous day at the Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham.A sixth place finish in this but, more significantly, his time of 1:47:17 got him over the line for Prague. And Danny Mooney, who finished fourth in the National 1,500 metres, will be joining him there.Some other impressive Donegal performances at the GlowHealth National Senior Championships in Athlone with Mary McLoone from Tir Chonaill A.C. capturing gold in the triple jump – echoing previous heroics in the long jump competitions at national level. Another ex-Letterkenny A.C. competitor, Maria McCambridge, took gold in the women’s 3,000 metres while medals also found their way into the possession of St Johnston man and Finn Valley ace, John Kelly (silver) in the shot putt; Brendan Boyce (also silver) in the 5k walk; and Tir Chonaill A.C.’s, Conall Mahon (bronze) in the triple jump.There was also a gold for Carrick-on-Shannon A.C. athlete, Gerard O’Donnell who overcame knocking over the first two hurdles to take the 60 metres title. His parents, Mary and the late Peter O’Donnell , hail from Ardara, so we can lay claim to him too.All in all a good weekend except for two things. There never appears to be a great atmosphere at the National Indoors, mainly due to the lack of spectating seats there (though I noted there were a few empty ones in any case). And secondly, technology let R.T.E. down when the station was originally due to show the weekend highlights package at 6.30.p.m. on Sunday (even going as far as announcing it was coming on five minutes before airing time). Instead it was shown after 11 o’clock with the original athletics schedule replaced by Top Gear and sure Jeremy Clarkson couldn’t run out of your way unless he was behind the wheel of a Porsche AG.THE BIG ONEThe scene of the battle against England.They’re calling it the Six Nations decider – and if someone decides to give me a ticket for it, I’ll be at it. Otherwise it’s the old chewing of nails in front of the small screen as the heavyweights of Ireland and England get to grips at the Aviva Stadium with the scenario of – winner set to take it all – setting the scene.Have to confess, I’m a bit worried about this one. Worried that I’ll definitely not get that ticket but also a tad concerned with the England front row and indeed the rest of them.Torrid afternoon ahead – I reckon I’ll be starting on the toe-nails before it’s all over.CELEBRITY INVASIONSFresh from Noel Gallagher providing us with an oasis of elegant punditry on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night, the B.B.C. followed that up with another celebrity invading sporting event, on this occasion highlights of Rugby League’s World Series Final which paired St. Helen’s with Australian visitors, South Sydney. In the main the cameras focused on the game – a 39-0 trouncing for the English team as it happens – but on at least five occasions, the director opted to zoom in on the Gladiator himself, Russell Crowe, who was in the stands sporting a parka with the Sydney crest on it.And the award for worst supporting actor in a non-starring role goes to…..POOL SPOTSAs mentioned in this corner some time back, Liverpool have been awarded the most penalty kicks since the Premier League began.Judging by the failure of referee…. or his assistants to spot three just about blatant penalty infringements against the Anfield Reds in their match at Southampton at the weekend, there’s a strong likelihood they’ve probably conceded the least too.KEATING ARRIVAL TO AID HARPS….BUT WHAT NOW FOR THE U.S.L.?Ruairi Keating has returned to Finn Park ahead of the new season.Even that 6-0 trouncing by Sligo Rovers doesn’t eradicate the belief that Finn Harps could be strong enough to make a serious push for promotion in the fast approaching season. The signing on loan of Ruairi Keating along with Nathan Boyle and a handful of others has giving some renewed optimism to Finn Park regulars and just as significant is the fact that Ollie Horgan has retained the nucleus of last season’s squad, in particular the defensive quartet of Mailey, Cowan, Coll and McNulty.Nevertheless, the decision by the club to withdraw the reserve side from the Ulster Senior League for whatever reason hardly helps the cause and certainly leaves the League in a bit of a mess to say the least with only five clubs set to complete the season.Surely Harps would have known the problems before the campaign began and not simply a couple of games into it?POWER PERFORMANCESRebecca Ryan with her winning trophyPlaudits for competitors in two sports that don’t feature in this column too often – 15 year old, Rebecca Ryan lifting a remarkable 120 kg in the TI class to claim the All-Ireland deadlift title in powerlifting in Cork at the weekend. Having only got into the sport since last October, that ranks as some achievement for the Milford teenager.And well done, too, to the Donegal women’s team who, against crushing odds, took home the McIlroy Cup in bowls with a fifteen points obliteration of hot favourites, Armagh. Vera Patterson’s 11-10 victory over Lisa Douglas confirmed the title was heading across the border.Apart from a previous success in the tournament in 2012, this Donegal team have lost out on four other final attempts so this win was particularly satisfying.FINAL BITAnd finally thanks again to Paul Hume for this one during last night’s Manchester City/Barcelona Champions League tie….”City trying to tease Luis Suarez but he’s not biting…”WHY CHELSEA CAN’T BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR RACIST ‘FANS’ – WALSHY ON WEDNESDAY was last modified: February 25th, 2015 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Tags:Walshy on Wednesday read more