Councillors call out social media criticism of Mayo football team

THE hurlers on the ditch behind social media criticism of the Mayo football team have been called to task by elected members of the county council.

The point was made by one member that some of the people posting online wouldn't know what a pair of football boots were if they saw them in a shop window.

The team, management, their families and all involved in getting to the All-Ireland final were lauded for their efforts and sacrifices at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council yesterday (Monday), with councillors reflecting the mood of supporters: We'll be back to fight again.

With some team members receiving abuse online following their defeat to Tyrone, Councillor Brendan Mulroy said the people involved needed to be called out, adding that the players deserve great respect.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said there weren't many people prepared to go out every day, month after month, in hail and snow, to practice. And it galled him as some of these hurlers on the ditch who write comments on social media criticising the team wouldn't know what a pair of football boots were.

They should use the opportunity to tell these people to 'lay off'.

Councillor Gerry Coyle said no one wanted to win the All-Ireland more than the team and management themselves. No one sacrificed more than them and 'hats off to them'.

More controls were needed on social media platforms, Councillor Mark Duffy added. Identities should be verified and it shouldn't be possible to sign up anonymously.

The point was made by Councillor John Cribben that the people posting the comments were not genuine supporters.

Tributes to the team on their achievement were led by the cathaoirleach, Councillor Michael Smyth, who said the players and management did everything they could to try and bring Sam back to Mayo, but unfortunately that did not happen.

Mayo people are very resilient and our team reflects the resilience of our county, he said. It was important to recognise their sacrifices and he wished them well, adding: “We'll be back to fight again.”