Boo who? Will the Clare hurlers get the same Cork treatment as Limerick?

FIRST OFF, this is not sour grapes. Cork were terrific against Limerick on July 7 and were fully deserving of their win on the day. Their high-energy execution, tactical ability and pure, raw hunger saw them topple The Treaty men, the reigning champions, in style. No arguments there. The booing by the Cork team’s supporters, however, was far less classy. It was ugly. 

As Limerick supporters we got our first taste of it down in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on May 11 when the sides first met in the championship. That evening the Páirc resembled a modern-day Colosseum. The Rebels, clad in their blood-red jerseys in the terraces and stands outnumbered the Limerick support in attendance figures and decibel levels. Every score on the pitch by their men was met with explosive roars and passion. The cheers for the Limerick scores were eclipsed by the sheer volume and intensity of the dominant home crowd. The foundations of the arena shook on the final whistle.

While it was hard viewing for a Limerick supporter, you couldn’t but appreciate  the hunger and emotion of the Cork players and their supporters. They were starving for success and they now had their first taste of Limerick blood. The tables had turned. The difference in the feeling after you win and after you lose is stark.

Walking away from the stadium that night - the pain of defeat aside - the booing by some Cork fans when Limerick players went to take a free echoed in  Limerick fans' ears. It left a bitter aftertaste on the lonely road home. Fast forward to July 7 and it was about to get worse. 

Once again, the Cork fans brought the colour and passion - the Limerick supporters matched them on both fronts this time - but, again, Cork were superior on the pitch. No arguments there. The persistent booing by Cork fans when Diarmaid Byrnes and Aaron Gillane went to take a free was just not cool. 

What would start off as a low hum would, within seconds, escalate to a formidable wall of sound around Croke Park. It wasn’t all Cork supporters but it was a lot of them. 

Some will argue that some free-takers take too long over the ball - well, that’s for the referee to decide. Taking a free is a high-pressure moment for amateur players and while every small margin matters greatly in sport, Cork don’t need these cheap wins to get over the line. Their players are good enough in their own right.  The booing tarnishes all the fans - many of whom were no doubt scarlet at the goings-on. And, to be fair, while Cork fans have been the more vocal this championship, many team’s supporters  - Limerick no doubt included - have been guilty of it in the past but to a much lesser degree. 

Booing was also referenced during the RTE commentary of the Donegal versus Galway football semi-final on Sunday and, with the hurling final taking place this Sunday, it will be interesting to see if Clare free takers are at the receiving end of the intense Cork boos or if it’s solely targeted at Limerick.

READ MORE: Limerick star part of BBC's live TV coverage of All-Ireland senior hurling final

The tradition of the GAA is steeped in respect. Supporters are the heartbeat of hurling. The spectacular scenes of bare-chested Cork hurling fans and Galway football fans standing on friends’ shoulders on Hill 16, singing their hearts out, celebrating their side’s epic wins showed the raw passion, craic and joy that victory brings.

Those moments epitomise what the GAA is all about and will be the takeaway scenes of the summer. 

The booing of players is not something we want to see creep further into our games. 

Let's preserve the dignity of the game by calling booing out for what it is - cheap, childish, nasty and uncalled for.