Westmeath seek probe on Larkin’s broken jaw

THE Westmeath County Board has requested the Games Administration Committee to investigate the incident in which one of their players received a broken jaw in an off-the-ball incident last week-end in a challenge with Down.

The victim was 19-year-old Kenny Larkin, a trainee garda, who is full-back on the county under-21 team and a senior panellist.

Team manager Luke Dempsey is furious over the incident, which he described as a very unnecessary act of violence: “It’s a matter I will talk about later on. I’ll have to do a lot of thinking about it.’’

“Naturally we want the GAC to investigate the incident,’’ said a board spokesman. “We will provide them with the evidence of an eye-witness and the medical evidence of the aftermath of the assault. We would hope they would then be able to take the necessary disciplinary measures.’’

The incident, which allegedly involved a high-profile member of the Down team, was witnessed by one of the Westmeath players who had a clear view of what happened.

The game took place in Newcastle, County Dublin, and was refereed by Colm Broderick from Down, who is a member of the inter-county referees’ panel. It is reported that he didn’t see the incident.

Larkin broke his jaw in two places and any nourishment he will have over the next few weeks can only be taken through a straw.

Dempsey is all the more disappointed because he rates the young player highly: “Kenny was coming on brilliantly.’’

In the meantime, county board officials are also concerned about the possible impact which the injury may have on Larkin’s garda training.