Skelly condemns Pearse Park fracas

Leinster GAA chairman Martin Skelly has condemned the ugly scenes at the end of normal time in the All-Ireland SFC Qualifier between Longford and Wexford at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.

Players and officials became embroiled on the pitch, after referee Pádraig O’Sullivan blew for full-time, with extra-time to follow. Over the 80 minutes plus, O’Sullivan issued seven yellow cards, two to Longford and five to Wexford. Skelly who was at the game, says it was an unfortunate incident, in an otherwise fairly contested encounter.

“Any time you see an incident like that, it doesn’t do the game any justice at all. I think it was a fantastic game, both sides expended a huge amount of effort,” he said.

“All hell broke loose. I didn’t see what started the incident, but it does no service to the game at any stage. I’m just glad that both sides settled down to play football again in extra-time. It didn’t carry over and that’s obviously a credit to both managements and both sets of players.

“It is unfortunate and it shouldn’t mar what was a really sporting encounter from start to finish. There were no red cards, lots of endeavour by both teams.”

Skelly says it’s up to the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee to see if any further action will need to be taken.

“Discipline in this game will be dealt with at national level. They will review any footage there is, and if action is to be taken there will be.

“My memory of the game is that it started in a sporting fashion, there was an incident at the end of normal time and it is unfortunate that it happened, but credit to both sides. They got back on with the game. Both sides shook hands with each other. That has to be taken as a positive.”