Croker to probe unruly Gaelic Ground scenes

GAA chiefs are set to investigate the unruly scenes during yesterday’s All-Ireland Club SFC semi-final in the Gaelic Grounds, as 13-man Portlaoise crashed to defeat against Clare champions Kilmurry-Ibrickane.

Defender Brian Mulligan and captain Brian McCormack were both dismissed for Portlaoise, but it was referee Michael Duffy’s decision to send off Mulligan for a high tackle on Kilmurry-Ibrickane’s Shane Hickey after only 40 seconds of action that sparked major controversy.

Gardaí and match stewards had to escort the Sligo whistler off the pitch both at half-time and full-time. Duffy was confronted by several Portlaoise officials at the interval, with one of his linesmen appearing to be jostled during that incident, and a Portlaoise supporter had to be forcefully restrained by Gardaí after the game as he approached Duffy. Portlaoise team boss John Mulligan, father of Brian, vented his fury with the referee at the break and afterwards branded the first minute sending-off as ‘a joke’.