Latecomers placed on pitch to avoid crush

PITCH-SIDE barriers had to be opened yesterday to prevent a potentially serious crush at the Munster hurling championship semi-final clash in Cork.

GAA chiefs blamed the late arrival of almost 23,000 fans at Páirc Uí Chaoimh just minutes before the game between Cork and Tipperary for the crowd control incident.

Up to 300 fans had to sit on the pitch behind the Blackrock end goal after gardaí made the call to open the barriers just a few minutes into the game.