GAA probe into referee assault

KERRY GAA chiefs have set up a special executive team to probe Sunday’s violent assault on AIB Kerry SHC semi-final referee, Gearóid O’Regan.

The Ballyheigue official was struck and manhandled by at least one player and a number of spectators after the Tralee clash between Kilmoyley and Ballyduff.

Ballyduff, the club at the centre of the storm, will not play any more senior or U21 hurling games until the investigation is completed, the county board announced last night.

Officials from the club have been invited to meet the investigation sub-committee on Thursday in a bid to progress the matter “as speedily as possible.”

County Board chairman Sean Walsh and secretary Eamonn O’Sullivan will head the investigation team which also includes board vice-chairman Jerome Conway, GAC chairman Peter Twiss and GPC vice-chairman Mike McCarthy.

Meanwhile, ex-Limerick hurling manager Tom Ryan has called on the GAA to appoint professional referees at inter-county level. Ryan said that Croke Park need seriously to reconsider their role in the supporting referees at all levels, nationwide.

“It is shocking that referees are subjected to such attacks. The GAA have to stand up and be counted and so too must the county boards,” he told RTÉ Radio’s Sportscall last night.

“In Limerick, the verbal abuse is leading to difficulty in recruiting referees.

“But the whole refereeing scene must be reviewed. There has been a huge investment in infrastucture but the most neglected area in Gaelic games is the area of refereeing.

“The areas that need to be addressed are support, training, accountability and inconsistency.”