IRELAND INTERNATIONAL JAMES McClean was the subject of home fans’ boos as Millwall beat Wigan 2-0 in the Championship last night, amid a hot-tempered encounter that saw three players sent off.
It is not the first time McClean has been singled out by opposition fans, after he outlined his reasons for refusing to wear a poppy last November.
However, the Ireland international sought to respond publicly to this abuse after last night’s disappointment.
On Instagram, McClean wrote: “Hard to take that defeat, alot [sic] of clear cut big decisions didnt go our way, as for the abuse from the big hard crowd do me a favour godsake me misses [sic] gives me a harder time.”
The defeat left Wigan seven points from safety and all but relegated with three games to play, meaning the winger may have to be content with League One football next season.
This is becoming more and more common and I’m delighted that these young lads are seeing theres life outside the GAA and aren’t giving up their youth for the benefit of the organisation. I wonder how many regret not doing the same when they’re in their 30s and don’t have the choice to travel
@Jamie Smith: iv yet to hear of any player say they regret playing with their county, as much as you’d love for them to say othetwise
@Stíofán Mac Piarais: well why are more and more opting out? it’s not necessarily county players but how many club players put off going abroad for the summer for the sake of their club
@Jamie Smith: because its their own choice, just like they choose to play. You seem to think they’re being forsed to play.
@Stíofán Mac Piarais: v true. But the reality is there are lots of v good committed gaa players unable to play our amateur sport because of not being able to give the crazy levels of commitment now needed to play at county level. Most panels now comprise of students, and a handful of other professions which allow them to give the massive hours involved. We ve seen lately how some are choosing/changing careers to suit their playing career – which in these times is not more than 7/8 years if even. Madness but their own choice i suppose. I just dont like where we are heading and playing numbers in a lot of counties are falling. Our sport is in crisis i feel but who cares about the little guy!
@Stíofán Mac Piarais: you often hear of coaches calling to lads houses who have given up the game for exams don’t you ? Anyway county football is at a tipping point and the smart ones realise that it’s not worth sacrificing your youth to essentially enjoy a professional sportsman without the PAY!!!
@joe: 100% agree with you imagine someone choosing a career that you’re going to be doing for at least 40 years ( teaching which is what most GAA players s doing lately )just so it allows you the benefit of playing a game for 8/10 years max ? That to me is a waste of a life I’m not taking away from teaching in any way shape or form but you’d wonder what the guys think of it after they’re retired from the GAA living with the aches and pains and think of the careers they could had
@Jamie Smith: “that to me is a waste of a life”, exactly, to YOU. That’s why you don’t play the game and these lads do. It takes considerable dedications and work rate but anything worth doing in life does. You’re sounding like a dodgy guidance counsellor the way your going on, stick to your life and let these lads do what they enjoy. And referring to the ones that are in agreement with you as ‘wise’ is completely inaccurate, inter county players didn’t fall in the last shower and they’re far from stupid.
@Daniel O’Donnell: more and more are opting out of it and it’s only going to rise
@Daniel O’Donnell: i ve no problem with lads choosing to play it. I ve a bigger problem that the intercounty game is nearly now elitest to certain types of professions/life styles in what is still an amateur game.
@joe: 100% agree but the GAA need people like him
@joe: I understand the game has gone to an extreme level and it won’t be professional any time soon anyway. But the reason it’s gotten to this level is because there is such desire to succeed and for the few counties, to win Sam. There wouldn’t be that desire if the players didn’t enjoy it or find it worthwhile so Jamie is talking complete nonsense.
@Daniel O’Donnell: theres desire in all counties.. Just that theres realistic chance in some and more money in others!!
@Daniel O’Donnell: bang on Daniel, fair play! Jamie just cannot get his head around how lads play a game they love without the desire to be paid!! Stick to the soccer Jamie….you must love that game where lads are being paid obscene amounts of money to play it, and have no loyalty generally to any club they’re with!! Haha….
@Jamie Smith – for every 1 player that opts out and goes travelling/takes a year or two off for career reasons, there’s dozens who put their heart and soul into playing for their County. It’s gone to the stage where lads are taking years off college or after college or even taking time out of their jobs to focus on their hurling or football. But continue away with your poxy agenda against the GAA.
Niall Mcinerney also pulls out of panel for the league to concentrate on his medical exams .makes sense of course as this is his future career . A big loss also for the Rossies.
The meath keeper opted out last week said he has his life back playing with his club and having a laugh with players