Culloville vow to aid investigation into Nugent attack

CULLOVILLE GAA club have vowed to co-operate with the investigation being undertaken by the CCC of the Armagh County Board into the incident in last Sunday’s league match between Culloville and Maghery, that left former Armagh All-Ireland winning minor Kevin Nugent with serious facial injuries.

Nugent was discharged from the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald on Wednesday after undergoing surgery to his jaw there on Tuesday. Maghery GAA chairman John Robinson described it as “a totally unprovoked attack”, and the Culloville club have released a statement via club secretary Fiona Callan on the matter.

“Regarding the Culloville v Maghery, Armagh Division One game, Culloville GFC would like to make it clear that the injury occurred during a melee in which a number of players from both clubs were involved.

“The club have been in contact with the player’s family and we wish him a full and speedy recovery. Culloville GFC will co-operate fully with any investigation carried out by the Armagh County Board CCC and will reserve any further comments to the investigation.”

Meanwhile, the GAA has banned vuvuzelas from Croke Park following the controversy surrounding the noisy horns at the World Cup. GAA spokesman Alan Milton said the plastic trumpets would be taken from fans attending Croke Park.

“It is impossible to say how popular they are going to be, they are not a traditional Irish instrument. But we will not be encouraging their use in Croke Park. They will be taken from people if seen on the way in.

“ It will be hard to ensure none get into the stadium, but if somebody alerts stewards in the stadium, we will go and take them away. Patrons pay in to see the game. We think it is unfair to people to have to sit beside a trumpet blowing in your ears for 70 minutes.”

Elsewhere, Longford attacker Brian Kavanagh is expected to make his first championship start on Saturday week in the All-Ireland qualifiers against Mayo. Kavanagh was sidelined for the Leinster SFC defeat against Louth last month, but showed no ill-effects having played a full part in Tuesday night’s challenge match against Westmeath.