Match abandoned after under-16 player attacked by spectator

A GAA match involving two under-16 sides had to be abandoned after the game descended into violence following an attack on one of the young players by a spectator.

The young player required hospital treatment for a broken nose. Witnesses at St Peter’s College grounds in Passage West last Saturday said there had been several skirmishes during the football match between Passage West and Mitchelstown before the game erupted into violence.

The fracas began when in the eighth minute of the second half a young Mitchelstown footballer was struck in the face by the spectator. As mentors tried to calm the situation another man was attacked and suffered a bloodied nose.

The Mitchelstown youth was taken to the South Infirmary/Victoria University Hospital. Doctors were unable to treat him, however, because the swelling was so serious. He was told to return to the hospital in the next few days.

One witness reported that the bad feeling began when the ball was kicked out for the start of the second half and several players exchanged blows. Players from both sides were said to have suffered facial injuries.

While the referee restored order at this point, shortly afterwards there was further outbreak of violence.

The referee was then forced to abandon the match with Mitchelstown winning 2-7 to 3-3.

The league game was organised by the GAA County Bord na nÓg.

A spokesman for the board said that no action would be contemplated until they had received the referee’s report. “We are hoping to get it as soon as possible,” the spokesman said.