96-week suspension proposed for Roscommon referee incident

A special meeting of the CCC of Roscommon GAA has proposed a 96-week suspension for the individual involved in an incident that left a Roscommon referee requiring medical attention

Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

A 96-week ban has been proposed for a St Aidan’s mentor involved in an incident that left referee Kevin Naughton requiring medical attention at an underage game in Roscommon last month, it has been reported.

Naughton was hospitalised following the flashpoint at the start of the second half of the U17 football championship game between St Aidan’s amd St Dominic’s in Ballyforan.

The Roscommon Herald reports the individual has been handed a close to two-year suspension for his involvement in the matter, which forced the game to be abandoned early.

A special competitions control committee made the recommendation after Naughton submitted his report from the game.

The St Aidan’s man can choose to accept the penalty or seek a hearing. His club had already insisted they would co-operate fully with the investigation into the incident.

The day following the game, Roscommon GAA issued a statement in which they insisted: “Roscommon GAA strongly condemns any behaviour that puts any of our match officials at risk.” 

A 96-week suspension is usually issued for a repeat offence although a first-time Category IV offence carries a minimum of a 48-week ban. 

A Category IV offence is defined as “Striking or attempting to strike, or any type of assault on, a Referee, Umpire, Linesman or Sideline Official.” 

The penalties are as follows: “Minimum: 48 weeks Suspension in all Codes and at all Levels, with offender’s Team liable to Disqualification, where appropriate; (2) Repeat Infraction within 96 weeks: 96 weeks Suspension in all Codes and at all Levels, with offender’s Team liable to Disqualification, where appropriate.”