Life bans handed out following Tyrone inquiry

Following 'a robust inquiry and full investigation' into some unsavoury incidents at a Tyrone ladies football match, two men have been given lifetime bans.

It is understood that the first banned person is a Carrickmore supporter, who has been identified as the man who allegedly assaulted match referee Simon Brady.

The second person, a member of the Carrickmore management team and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, was sanctioned for allegedly assaulting Tyrone Ladies Football Chairman Martin Conway.

The Carrickmore club, who have also been given 'a substantial fine', condemned the incidents which spoilt St. Macartan's victory in the recent Tyrone Senior Ladies Football Championship final in Beragh.

The bans were handed down after a full County Board meeting last night.

A statement released after it said: "It has been a difficult time for the ladies game in Tyrone but the focus now is on pulling together ahead of Sunday's Ulster Senior Ladies Football Championship final with Tyrone up against Monaghan at Clones."

A spectator struck referee Brady as he checked his scorecard after awarding St. Macartan's a decisive late free in their win over Carrickmore on Friday, June 24..

Brady, who was caught 'fairly flush' between his cheekbone and eye, was stretchered off the pitch and had to be treated for bruising and swelling to his face at the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen.

Speaking to the Irish News some days later, he said: "I got a tap on the shoulder from one of the managers wanting to shake my hand and that is the last thing I remember.

"Apparently I was hit. My understanding is that it was a spectator. I woke up maybe five minutes later. I was frightened, I didn't know what had happened.

"All I knew was I was lying on the ground and it was wet and cold. I wasn't even aware Martin Conway had been hit by another individual when he came to help me."

Brady's 18-year-old son had been umpiring at the game and had to ring his mother to tell her what had happened.

In the post-match melee, Tyrone Ladies Football Chairman Martin Conway was also hit as he tried to go to Brady's aid. He was left hospitalised by a headbutt which broke his nose.

Conway said: "People involved in this have no place in the GAA, no place in the Ladies Football Association and no place in sport. They don't deserved to be in the sport."

Both clubs assisted with the investigation that was led by the Tyrone Ladies Gaelic Football Association. Carrickmore, who launched their own investigation, swiftly condemned the incidents.

The Tyrone administrators set up a committee to investigate what occurred and following its conclusion, thanked both clubs for 'the manner in which they co-operated fully with the inquiry.'

TYRONE LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION STATEMENT:

Following incidents after the final whistle in the Tyrone senior final on June 24, the Tyrone Ladies GFA instigated a robust enquiry and full investigation.

The results of the investigation were outlined to a full County Board meeting last night and the following penalties were imposed .

An individual, reportedly a Carrickmore supporter was identified as the person who allegedly assaulted match referee Simon Brady, The County Board issued him with a lifetime ban from any involvement in or with Ladies Gaelic football, this includes attendance at ladies fixtures in the future. He was not a member of the Ladies GFA.

A second individual confirmed as part of the Carrickmore management team and a member of the Ladies GFA was identified as the person who allegedly assaulted the Tyrone Ladies GFA Chairman Martin Conway.

Once again a life ban was imposed in accordance with the Ladies football official guide. The Carrickmore club were also handed a substantial fine.

The Tyrone Ladies GFA commended those who carried out and assisted with the investigation, they thanked both clubs for the manner in which they co-operated fully with the inquiry.

In a statement to the meeting, Carrickmore condemned the incidents and wished the two injured parties a speedy recovery and return to their duties.

It has been a difficult time for the Ladies game in Tyrone but the focus now is on pulling together ahead of Sunday's Ulster Ladies Senior Football Championship final with Tyrone up against Monaghan at Clones.