Mass brawl set for investigation

TIPPERARY GAA chiefs look set to investigate ugly scenes that developed after this Premier County SHC semi-final at Semple Stadium yesterday.

Thurles Sars advanced after Pa Bourke converted a controversial 20- yard free in the final minutes but the ire from that decision spilled over after the final whistle when a mass melee erupted in the middle of the field. One supporter was knocked to the ground and referee Seamus Roche was forced to intervene to keep several other individuals apart.

In a year in which so much glory has been gained by the county this incident didn’t reflect well on Tipperary hurling. Indeed the whole afternoon was a disappointment, neither this game, between two of the hot favourites for the title, nor the earlier semi-final, ever reaching the heights expected for this stage of the championship of Ireland’s champion county.