GAA President, Larry McCarthy, has reiterated his calls for a more civil public commentary on GAA players, referees, and officials ahead of the start of the Allianz Hurling League this weekend.

McCarthy uses the term ‘Critics Collective’ to descibe high profile ex-players who have transitioned to being commentators and prognosticateurs as well as anonymous keyboard warriors who sometimes go beyond measured criticism of amateurs who are striving to do their best.

The GAA President hopes the ‘Critics Collective’, before casting any judgement, will pause to consider the fact that players and refereres will be returning to action this weekend with relatively little prepartion time.

 "At the recent GAA Congress I requested that members of the Critics Collective realize that their commentary and critique can have a huge impact on players, referees and officials," said McCarthy. "I repeat that request today. 

"Members should be cognisant that players, referees and officials do not set out to perform poorly. But, poor performances do occur, and those involved are the first to realise that they have not performed optimally. In addition players, referees and officials are amateurs, participating in recreation activities, prisms through which commentary should be filtered. 

"I also suggest to members of the Collective that the short warm up period to the Allianz league will lead to inconsistent performances. Critique should be tempered accordingly.

"Realise that words matter. What is broadcast matters, what is written matters, what is tweeted matters, particulalry when magnified by social media. Measured criticism is welcome, but please remember the comment of Bob Costas about “the corrosive assault on civility”. Let our words not contribute to that corrosion."