...was within the Cricket Committee's jurisdiction but at the end of the day, can any club be totally responsible for the idiotic behaviour of spectators who claim to be supporters?
The behaviour of fans at sports matches has been a malaise that has plagued football for many years, but cricket has generally escaped major problems, although some matches in India and Pakistan have produced more fireworks off the cricket field than on it. There have also been incidents of crowd trouble in the West Indiesover the years, and at least two infamous occasions when play had to be stopped because too many bottles were on the field. We’ve also had isolated incidents down the years in club cricket in Ireland, and looking through the minute books of both unions has revealed some ‘colourful’ confrontations on and off the pitch. But overall the incidents have been few in number and hardly a major concern until recent times, when usually too much drink has been consumed, and too much pressure to win has been prevalent amongst partisan supporters. There’s certainly nothing wrong with being partisan, and the pressure comes with the territory when you visit grounds like Donemana, Waringstown, and North Down, as all three clubs have strong support. But there has to be parameters and when they are crossed, action has to be taken or the game will inevitably suffer.
Much has been said and written about this year’s ISC final and the behaviour of both players and spectators. The match was the showpiece of the domestic season, so it attracted more publicity than some international games, and the media build-up increased the hype as Donemana was quite rightly seen as championing the North-West, and perhaps the Northern cause, in an attempt to stop the long-term domination of Leinster teams in the competition. Donemana travelled in numbers, joined by a healthy support of their peers. Leinster also had good support from the Dublin public, and the Hills Cricket Club went to great lengths to be the perfect host. Security wasn’t even in the minds of the organizers, and the need for mounted police and officers in riot gear would have brought howls of indignation from everyone. But will the same complacency exist in years to come?
Foul and abusive language are unfortunately part and parcel of modern sport; incursions onto the pitch are isolated, but still a threat to the integrity of the game. And although attacks on players are very rare, they can’t be ignored when they happen. The real issue here is whether such an assault is a police or a cricket matter?
In fairness to the Donemana Club and their officials they tried to cool the situation on the day, and in the aftermath, they issued statements condemning the culprits and disassociating the club from their behaviour. What other action they took has not come into the public domain.
It is a sad fact that the innocent suffer with the guilty in many instances of trouble. Donemana Cricket Club, North-West cricket and perhaps cricket in general were shamed by the action of a small number of idiots at the final, and to make excuses for them is deplorable. The Cricket Committee of Cricket Ireland had to take some action and under the rules of the competition they took the most straightforward option and penalised the club with a suspended sentence and a three-year home ban.
In theory it is not a huge punishment, but it does send out a message that the bad behaviour of cricket supporters will be dealt with by Cricket Ireland, and that the responsibility lies with the clubs. These incidents were not as severe as they could have been, but it was a warning to everyone that such trouble will damage the game irrevocably, and ultimately add to cricket’s demise at grass-roots level. It will also drive neutral spectators from games, chase away sponsors, damage the ability to secure grants, and lower the sport’s image in the public domain.
Now is the time for genuine cricket lovers to stand up and commend the cricket committee for their action, for Donemana CC to get rid of the culprits who have damaged their club, and for all clubs to take notice.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
