Offaly GAA blocks 10,000 social media accounts as fans targeted by scammers

Over 10,000 profiles have been blocked by Offaly GAA so far this year with the Co Board PRO saying the posting of links to scams is "epidemical". 

Just this week, Offaly county champions Kilcormac-Killoughey issued a warning about people posting links to scams on their social media accounts. 

"We are aware of people commenting on our social media posts with links to live streams of matches," the club outlined. 

"We try and remove these as soon as possible, please do not click into any of these links as they are scams," KK said. 

"If there are any games which are being streamed, we will post the link directly," the club said. 

Offaly Co Board PRO Padraig O'Meara said they will assist clubs to set up filters to block such links appearing on Facebook. 

He advised people that links will only be posted by Offaly GAA and clubs in the actual post, and not the comments. "Anyone who posts links in comments is not legitimate," he said.

"Over 10,000 profiles have been blocked by Offaly GAA already this year," he said. 

He urged clubs to contact him at pro.offaly@gaa.ie and he will advise clubs on how to set filters to block such scam posts from appearing. 

The Offaly hurling county champions are an ideal target for such scams as their successful season continues. 

Kilcormac-Killoughey's most recent game was featured live on TG4 as they accounted for Wexford champions Naomh Eanna in an impressive second half display, as they overturned a 2 point deficit to win by 2-22 to 014. 

They face Kilkenny champions O'Loughlin Gaels in the Leinster Club Semi Final on Saturday, November 25 in Glenisk O'Connor Park. 

These are exciting times for the Kilcormac-Killoughey GAA Club who have embarked on their Leinster campaign in style.

With a mixture of experienced players and some of the most exciting young hurlers including Charlie Mitchell and underage sensation, Adam Screeney, and a host of their players who featured on Offaly teams which reached an All-Ireland minor and U20 final in recent years, the club has a very bright future. 

The have an opportunity to add another title when they meet Carrig-Riverstown/Crinkle in the U-20 Hurling Championship final on Saturday in Banagher.