WEXFORD hurling captain Lee Chin has spoken for the first time about the racial slur he suffered during a charity game last year, prompting it to be blown up early by the referee.
The talismanic forward, who will begin his latest Leinster SHC campaign against Dublin on Sunday, was racially abused by a spectator at a game against Tipperary in April 2023.
A 48-week ban, in line with a new anti-racism rule in the GAA, was later proposed, though Chin declined to speak about it at the time.
A year on, the 31-year-old has opened up about the incident and said he didn’t speak publicly back then partly because of the backlash that the individual, who was deeply remorseful, was already receiving.
“I just didn’t think it would have helped with me coming out and having a go everywhere as well,” said Chin.
“I was quite conscious of him, I was. I genuinely was, even my family were.
“We would be that way inclined at home and we were conscious of his feelings and how things can end up for him.
“I remember the phonecall I had with him and he was very sorrowful and he couldn’t apologise any more.
“We had good conversations and I left the phonecall wishing him well and letting him know that I had no hard feelings towards him and stuff, things like that I hope were helpful towards him.”
Chin said part of him felt sorry for the spectator.
It was reported by one Sunday newspaper outlet, who confronted the man at the time, that he sent a letter of apology to Chin, aside from the phonecall.
“Look, there was a part of me at the time that felt sorry for him as well, he has a family of his own and what happened was unfortunate but sometimes things are said in the heat of the moment and they’re not intentionally meant with any great malice,” he said.
“I had sympathy for him and his family at the time, and still do, but I think he’s very sorry for what happened on the day and we did have conversations and things are smooth and I hope he’s doing well.”
On the upcoming Championship, the 2019 Leinster SHC medallist said he remains confident of Wexford’s ability to rekindle those glory days under new manager Keith Rossiter.
“Definitely, yeah of course,” the centre-forward said.
“At the end of the day, you are here because you want to win. Are we capable of doing that? I believe so. “Look, it takes a lot of consistency, a lot of work and a bit of luck along the way too.
“Hopefully we can get off to a good start in the Championship and look, if you do get off to a good start you might gather a bit of momentum and confidence along the way and hopefully you will be there at the end of it.”