Bishopstown and Glen Rovers called to explain mass brawl

An investigation has been launched by the Cork County Board into the mass brawl which marred Saturday’s fourth round SHC clash between Glen Rovers and Bishopstown.

The two clubs have been summoned before the Competitions Control Committee (CCC) at Páirc Uí Chaoimh tomorrow night to thrash out the unsavoury incidents which saw four players red-carded and a Glen Rovers mentor ordered from the field.

Cork hurler Patrick Horgan was a member of the dismissed quartet, with Glen Rovers selector Des Cullinane hinting the team’s marquee forward may have been targeted by the opposition. Bishopstown, via a statement on the club’s website, expressed disappointment at theallegation and efforts “to tarnish the good name of one of our players”.

Cork footballer Colm O’Driscoll and Horgan were red-carded six minutes into the contest when each had their helmet forcibly removed after an off-the-ball confrontation.

It is believed a Bishopstown official shook the hand of O’Driscoll as he departed the field and coupled with the hostile intervention of Glenselector Ian Lynam, the two incidents sparked a free-for-all in front of the Bishopstown dugout involving both teams, mentors and subs.

The melee lasted approximately four minutes, with referee Cathal McAllister ordering Lynam from the line and issuing yellow cards to Bishopstown’s Mark Driscoll and Glen’s Donal Cronin.

Both men were later dismissed following second infractions.

McAllister’s report was furnished to the board executive yesterday morning, the CCC promptly instructing both clubs to attend a meeting tomorrow night.

Glen Rovers and Bishopstown have also received a copy of the referee’s report — a Glen Rovers official expressing confidence neither club will be slapped with a severe fine arising from the contents of McAllister’s narrative. Glen selector Des Cullinane, speaking to the Irish Examiner after Saturday’s game, questioned the circumstances that saw forward Horgan receive a straight red card.

“Cathal [McAllister] said he sent him off for a face mask violation. Obviously there was a reason why there was a face mask violation.

“You’d wonder why our best player, whom we’d expect to score 10 or 12 points, would be getting involved in that,” he said.

“You’d have to ask the question why was Patrick Horgan involved in a shemozzle there. I don’t know, maybe other people saw it!”

Bishopstown have steadfastly rejected suggestions that Horgan was earmarked by Pádraig O’Donoghue’s side.

Bishopstown GAA, through an official statement on their website said: “We wish to state categorically that we take grave exception to the allegation that a Glen Rovers player was in anyway targeted by our club, our mentors or any one of our players during the match last Saturday night.

“We reject this completely, and are more than disappointed at the efforts to tarnish our good name and the good name of one of our players who, like the Glen Rovers player, has given outstanding service to both club and county.”