Probe into post-match London brawl

PLAYERS from a top London hurling team were caught up in a violent dressing room brawl in Ruislip on Saturday.

Members of Father Murphys and Robert Emmets clashed in the dressing rooms and car park of the county grounds, following the Emmet’s 3-21 to 0-10 senior hurling championship victory.

Robert Emmets forward Peter Atkinson was left requiring hospital treatment after the encounter.

Members of the GAA community in London are now calling on Croke Park to intervene in an effort to stamp out the cycle of violence which is damaging the club game in the capital.

“I’m still shocked that players from one team can enter another side’s dressing room, flaking away with hurleys,” said a leading manager caught up in the fracas.

“Anyone with half a brain knows this type of behaviour needs to be struck out. Croke Park needs to send the strongest possible message to the London county board that incidents like this will not be tolerated.”

The violence continued into the car park as players from one team attempted to leave the Emerald Grounds.

London county board chairman Tommy Harrell — a member of the Father Murphys club — was not present in Ruislip on Saturday, but he said: “If the allegations being made are true they will be dealt with very seriously. We are awaiting the referee’s report.”

That report will be submitted this week to the London competitions control committee.

News of the incident comes as a blow to the image of London GAA after a summer of success marked by a second Nicky Rackard title for the county hurlers and a first championship win in 34 years for the footballers.

News of this latest incident comes against the backdrop of a Metropolitan Police Investigation into an assault which took place during a senior Division One football game in Ruislip last month.

The incident, which happened during the contest involved two members of the same club.