Gardaí probe alleged assault on referee

AN alleged assault on a Limerick GAA referee is being investigated by gardai in Askeaton.

The incident is alleged to have occurred a few minutes before the final whistle in the west Limerick junior B hurling game between Adare and Kilcornan.

The referee, Michael Walsh, has made a statement to gardai but was not willing to comment other than to say an incident did take place.

According to sources, the official was struck in the neck with a hurley by an Adare player, and comments were passed, at a stage when the sides were deadlocked.

The incident occurred after the referee had awarded a free to Kilcornan.

The referee then abandoned the match.

An official report by the referee has been sent to the west Limerick board.

Meanwhile, veteran Pat Heffernan, given a surprise recall to the Limerick senior hurling panel last January, is named at left corner-forward on the county’s intermediate team to play Cork in the Munster championship semi-final on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Ryan McMenamin will captain Tyrone when the All-Ireland champions meet Fermanagh on Sunday week.

The Dromore man has been chosen by Mickey Harte to lead the side in the absence of skipper Brian Dooher, who damaged a medial ligament in a club game earlier this week and could be out of action for a month.