County Fermanagh championship footballer, Darren Graham (25), who has also played senior level hurling, dramatically ended his gaelic career on Sunday amid a torrent of sectarian taunts during a local derby.

Darren's father, Cecil, a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment, was shot dead by the IRA in November 1981. Two of his uncles were also murdered in the Troubles.

Yesterday his former football team, Lisnaskea Emmets, lodged a formal complaint with the Fermanagh County Board on his behalf.

Darren said he would return to the game, but only if something was done to tackle the alleged sectarianism on and off the field.

"I would go back because I love the sport," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"I am sure the abuse probably will get worse before it gets better but at least the authorities will know now that it's going on.

"If I can help any other young Protestant coming up through the ranks then it's all worth while. If there are any other fellas coming up they could face the same sort of abuse if they don't put their foot down."

Darren, who is employed as a joiner in Lisnaskea, has been playing gaelic football and hurling since he was 12.

He added: "Basically coming up through the ranks of under- age and now up into the senior when I have been playing football, they have been trying to rile me, whether I am a Protestant or 'black' such-and-such or 'black' whatever. It's basically sectarian more than anything and they are asking more Protestants to get involved in the sport, but as I say, what is the point when you are going to get that there sort of abuse on a football field?

"I was three weeks old when my father was shot. It'll crop up yes. At the end of the day what is the point in mentioning stuff like that when we are out playing sport?"

Darren said things came to a head on Sunday during a match against Brookeborough.

"When the free was given one of the other players ran past me and called me a 'black' such and such. I said to the ref he must have heard that - but he said he was too far away. Then about three seconds later another player ran past me again and said, 'It's true you are a black such-and-such'.

"It does hurt, it does make you feel low. Usually I let it brush over my shoulder but on Sunday I just had enough and I took the shirt off my back and said I wouldn't be putting it back on until something was done.

"The official complaint has been made now so we'll have to wait and see where we go from here."

His decision to walk away is a major blow to the Gaelic Athletic Association's efforts to widen its appeal and attract more Protestants.

It was not until 2001 that a controversial ban on any members of Northern Ireland's security forces joining the organisation was lifted.

GAA representatives at the sport's Croke Park headquarters in Dublin pledged to launch a probe if any formal complaint was received.

Spokesman Fergal McGill said if a formal complaint was made an investigation would be launched.