Tyrone board launches refereeassault probe

DISCIPLINARY chiefs in Tyrone have launched a probe into an alleged assault on a referee at the end of Sunday’s SFC final between Dromore and Ardboe.

Tyrone star Colm McCullagh secured a one-point win for Dromore when he netted a penalty deep into stoppage time.

But referee Sean Quinn was allegedly attacked moments after the final whistle. The Brackaville official sustained no injuries and was quickly escorted from the Healy Park pitch by stewards.

County chairman Pat Darcy has confirmed that the Competitions Control Committee has launched an investigation into the incident.

Darcy also suggested that the Ardboe club could face punishment as a result of the incident.

“Generally, clubs are responsible for the behaviour of their players and supporters,” said Darcy, who added that he was disappointed that a marvellous game had been marred by an unsavoury incident.

Darcy also backed the decision to award the penalty.

“It is cruel on Ardboe to lose it they way they lost it but, it was a penalty. The referee made the call and that’s the way it goes.”

On the events after the final whistle, he said: “I think someone came out of the spectators and tried to attack the referee. We will be fully investigating it.

“That sort of thing shouldn’t happen and we will need to look at the security for referees when they’re coming off the pitch. It is difficult (to contain spectators) but there were quite a lot of stewards there. Fortunately they did get the referee off quickly but these sort of things shouldn’t happen. Unfortunately, sometimes they do happen. It will have to be investigated and the perpetrator dealt with, if we find out who he is.”

There was further controversy in Ulster over the weekend when Cavan Gaels had four players sent off during their provincial SFC preliminary round tie at Breffni Park. The Gaels lost Eamon Reilly to a red card in normal time and three more – Anthony Forde, Nicholas Walsh and Karl Crotty – were dismissed during extra-time. Even then, only two points separated the sides at the finish.

Meanwhile, GAA officials in Galway will wait for the referee’s report before deciding on a course of action following the disgraceful scenes which saw a referee requiring a Garda escort at the end of a heated encounter.

Referee Christy Helebert – a former Galway hurler – remained inside the pitch perimeter for about ten minutes before being escorted with his officials to the dressing rooms.

The controversy arose when Loughrea were awarded a match-winning free in the dying seconds of injury-time with Neil Keary’s point giving them a place in the SHC final on a 0-16 to 0-15 scoreline against Mullagh.

The free was awarded after Alan Gaynor was adjudged to have fouled the ball and as angry Mullagh supporters went to vent their anger afterwards, the referee remained on the pitch.

Mullagh supporters continued to vent their fury at being denied a chance of reaching their first final since 1966.

Galway Hurling Board secretary John Fahy said: “The referee’s report is awaited and the Galway Competition Controls Committee will look at it. That is the normal procedure.”

The report is expected to be furnished within days of the match. Loughrea will now go on to meet Portumna for the fourth time in seven years, with Loughrea emerging victorious in a controversial contest in 2006. Portumna are bidding to become the first team in hurling or football to win three successive All-Ireland club titles.