Female fans as 'prize heifers'
I don't view female fans as 'prize heifers' says under-fire GAA chief
No koke this, but sounds like one. It taken from the Irish Independent of Thursday September 1st 2005.
GAA president Sean Kelly last night said he was surprised to have been accused of regarding female fans as 'prize heifers'.
He was responding for the first time to a furore caused by his assertion that well-dressed ladies should be paraded on the Croke Park pitch before big games.
His views, in programme notes for last Saturday's All-Ireland football quarter-final replay against Tyrone, sparked accusations that he viewed female fans as "prize heifers".
Ladies' Gaelic Football Association head Helen O'Rourke accused Mr Kelly of treating women like animals at a country fair.
Mr Kelly, chairman of the integration committee charged with bringing the women's and men's associations together said female GAA supporters were a "wonderful sight for sore eyes"."The thought struck me that we should have a 'Queen of Fashion' at big days in Croker," he said in his notes.
"Select the best dressed of the ladies, march them around the field after the band and then present the winner with her prize - a day at the races, or a day in the bog, two tickets for the All-Ireland, etc."
But the top female Gaelic organisation described his remarks as "condescending" and an "insult".
Mr Kelly wrote: "At the drawn game, I took a good look at the women. They are now coming to matches in their droves, more power to them. They go to great trouble to dress up for the day in their county colours - all matching from head to toe. Some of the women build around the official jersey in a most imaginative and, may I say, attractive way. Others design their own concoctions. Wonderful sights for sore eyes."
Helen O'Rourke responded that women were more interested in playing football in Croke Park than being paraded in a fashion contest.
"He sounds like he's talking about putting a county parade rosette on a prize heifer. It's antiquated and I thought those days were long over.
"It is obvious that women who play football and come to matches are there because they love and are interested in the game. We have 100,000 members and every one of those aspires to play at Croke Park, not to be paraded around at a fashion show.
"It's in very poor taste. I couldn't believe it. I was very disappointed when I read the programme and I think he must have been watching too much of the Rose of Tralee. It sounds like a country fair."
Speaking to the Irish Independent last night, Mr Kelly insisted his remarks were "a harmless bit of fun and should be taken in the context and spirit in which they were written".
He was surprised any offence could be taken and defended his record on promoting the affairs of women in the GAA.
"Nothing I said was derogatory towards ladies. In fact it was quite the opposite. I think it is wonderful to see so many ladies now attending GAA games in their county colours. I was merely complimenting that."
He added: "There is never a problem or a big deal made about best dressed ladies at race meetings. It's part and parcel of any festival. I was complimenting the standard of fashion at GAA games now and suggesting how it could be acknowledged in a light hearted way. I didn't think offence would be taken four days after the game."
Ms O'Rourke said she felt his comments set back equal opportunity moves to integrate men's and women's sporting organisations.
"Fashion is not the reason women come to Croke Park . . . We had to wait up to 10 days before the GAA agreed to our match last weekend and this article has undermined the interest women have in the sport.
"All we want to do is play football. I found it quite insulting because we have to struggle so hard for our sport."
She conceded: "He might have been joking, but there is too much of those kind of sentiments around that are seriously meant."
Colm Keys and Helen Bruce
----------------
This is not taken from an episode of Fr Ted it is a direct quote from Sean Kelly's programme notes..
No koke this, but sounds like one. It taken from the Irish Independent of Thursday September 1st 2005.
GAA president Sean Kelly last night said he was surprised to have been accused of regarding female fans as 'prize heifers'.
He was responding for the first time to a furore caused by his assertion that well-dressed ladies should be paraded on the Croke Park pitch before big games.
His views, in programme notes for last Saturday's All-Ireland football quarter-final replay against Tyrone, sparked accusations that he viewed female fans as "prize heifers".
Ladies' Gaelic Football Association head Helen O'Rourke accused Mr Kelly of treating women like animals at a country fair.
Mr Kelly, chairman of the integration committee charged with bringing the women's and men's associations together said female GAA supporters were a "wonderful sight for sore eyes"."The thought struck me that we should have a 'Queen of Fashion' at big days in Croker," he said in his notes.
"Select the best dressed of the ladies, march them around the field after the band and then present the winner with her prize - a day at the races, or a day in the bog, two tickets for the All-Ireland, etc."
But the top female Gaelic organisation described his remarks as "condescending" and an "insult".
Mr Kelly wrote: "At the drawn game, I took a good look at the women. They are now coming to matches in their droves, more power to them. They go to great trouble to dress up for the day in their county colours - all matching from head to toe. Some of the women build around the official jersey in a most imaginative and, may I say, attractive way. Others design their own concoctions. Wonderful sights for sore eyes."
Helen O'Rourke responded that women were more interested in playing football in Croke Park than being paraded in a fashion contest.
"He sounds like he's talking about putting a county parade rosette on a prize heifer. It's antiquated and I thought those days were long over.
"It is obvious that women who play football and come to matches are there because they love and are interested in the game. We have 100,000 members and every one of those aspires to play at Croke Park, not to be paraded around at a fashion show.
"It's in very poor taste. I couldn't believe it. I was very disappointed when I read the programme and I think he must have been watching too much of the Rose of Tralee. It sounds like a country fair."
Speaking to the Irish Independent last night, Mr Kelly insisted his remarks were "a harmless bit of fun and should be taken in the context and spirit in which they were written".
He was surprised any offence could be taken and defended his record on promoting the affairs of women in the GAA.
"Nothing I said was derogatory towards ladies. In fact it was quite the opposite. I think it is wonderful to see so many ladies now attending GAA games in their county colours. I was merely complimenting that."
He added: "There is never a problem or a big deal made about best dressed ladies at race meetings. It's part and parcel of any festival. I was complimenting the standard of fashion at GAA games now and suggesting how it could be acknowledged in a light hearted way. I didn't think offence would be taken four days after the game."
Ms O'Rourke said she felt his comments set back equal opportunity moves to integrate men's and women's sporting organisations.
"Fashion is not the reason women come to Croke Park . . . We had to wait up to 10 days before the GAA agreed to our match last weekend and this article has undermined the interest women have in the sport.
"All we want to do is play football. I found it quite insulting because we have to struggle so hard for our sport."
She conceded: "He might have been joking, but there is too much of those kind of sentiments around that are seriously meant."
Colm Keys and Helen Bruce
----------------
This is not taken from an episode of Fr Ted it is a direct quote from Sean Kelly's programme notes..
Labels: Championship, Cumann Luthcleas Gael, Football, GAA, Gaelic, Gaelic Athletic Association, humour, Hurling, Jokes, Michael Cusack, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, The Sunday Game, Up for the Match
posted by Michael at 6:47 AM
