MHC Week Four Editorial

The Milwaukee Hurling Club has always prided itself in the level of compedativeness within its club play. More significantly, that we are competative while maintaining the friends and family feel we all enjoy on the sidelines and at the Round Robins. We all want to win and the pressure to do so is often incredibly high, leading to disagreements on the field. In recent weeks, that level of competition has increased to dangerous levels.

In the past two weeks, two Red Cards have been issued. Both of them involved agressiveness that is partially the hallmark of competative play, but also disent towards the refereeing staff. It may sound odd that aggressive behavior from hurlers is unacceptable, but we must all remember that the MHC is a community of people and should treat each other in that manner.

Another large part of this issue is that players are talking back to referees. This is known in the rulebook as disent, and is a cardable offense. But it goes beyond that, talking back to a ref not only shows disrespect, but also distracts one of the main people charged with keeping us all safe.

Do referee's miss calls? Yes, that happens, especially in a game with a field as big as we play on and with as many people are on the field at a time. Players must also keep in mind that our Referees are often reluctant volunteers, not professionals. These often are not people who volunteer not because they think they would be good referee but because they recognize that we cannot play with out someone to do that thankless job. The next time you have a complaint about a ref who has missed a call, or called something wrong, perhaps you should consider yourself in that position.

Regardless, being competative while necessary also needs to be tempered with a bit of respect and common sense. Winning at all costs is not the MHC way. We do not import players from Ireland to wear our jersey's for traveling team because to do so would be a mockery of what we have built here in Milwaukee. We excell because of our love for the game of hurling and the comradery we show each other. Using competition as a scapegoat for disent or being physically aggressive above and beyond that necessary to play the game is a disservice to the MHC and all of our members and supporters. By all means play tough and play hard, but also remember that we'll all be hanging out together after the match and going to work on Monday.