Violence mars Longford game

THE GAA in Longford has another major controversy on its hands after a linesman was struck at the end of a club game yesterday.

And the chairman of the county board has vowed that “this kind of behaviour will not be allowed to continue.”

Martin Scally made his remarks after it came to light that a linesman was punched at the end of a clash between Granard and Legan in the Longford intermediate football championship.

The linesman was punched by a man closely involved with one of the teams.

The match was a closely-foughtaffair with Granard pipping Legan by just a single point.

Said Scally: “I am outraged and saddened that this should happen on our fields. It just has to stop. Make nomistake about it, this conduct will not be allowed to continue.”

He said the county board will meet tonight and the issue of indiscipline at games within the county will “begiven a full airing.”

This follows another controversial incident just a fortnight ago when an inter-county referee in Longford was sent off for verbally abusing a referee in a club game between SeánConnolly and Mostrim.

Meanwhile Declan O’Sullivan and Séamus Moynihan are both back in contention for Kerry’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Dublin on Saturday.

The duo, who missed the Munster SFC final with shoulder and ankle problems respectively, both played in a challenge game last week.

Tommy Griffin damaged ankle ligaments in that trial game and will be out of football for three weeks. Jack O’Connor also has concerns over Mike McCarthy, Dónal Daly, Aidan O’Mahony, Paul Galvin and William Kirby.

“Declan and Séamus are back training and we are happy with their progress. Mike McCarthy has been bothered a bit by a knee injury but he resumed training again today. Some of the others have various niggles but they should be fine,” O’Connor said.

Meanwhile a Kerry County League Division One encounter between Laune Rangers and Annascaul on Saturday evening turned ugly in the closing minutes when a disputed line ball sparked off a fight involving several players from both sides.