Mayo GAA will co-operate with investigation into fan shoving referee after Galway defeat

TG4’s live footage of the game captured a fan, who appears to be wearing Mayo crested pants, pushing match official Noel Mooney from behind.

CO-OPERATING: Mayo GAA will fully co-operate with an expected investigation into a supporter shoving referee Noel Mooney at the end of Sunday’s Division 1 defeat to Galway in Castlebar. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Mayo GAA will fully co-operate with an expected investigation into a supporter shoving referee Noel Mooney at the end of Sunday’s Division 1 defeat to Galway in Castlebar.

TG4’s live footage of the game captured a fan, who appears to be wearing Mayo crested pants, pushing the Cavan match official from behind and then remonstrating with him soon after the final whistle.

It is understood Mooney will cite the incident in his match report and the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) could then seek Mayo’s assistance in identifying the individual.

The county are also reviewing their stewarding operation in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park to ensure match officials are not accosted by members of the public at future games.

“Mayo GAA are aware of the incident that happened yesterday and we did speak to the referee after the game on it,” confirmed county board PRO John Walker.

“I did speak to the events committee on it this morning. We will be awaiting the referee report and assist Croke Park on any investigation going forward.” In 2014, a Mayo supporter who invaded the pitch during the All-Ireland semi-final replay against Kerry in Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds to confront referee Cormac Reilly was suspended from the GAA for 12 months.

Meanwhile, the CCCC may also consider reviewing footage of an incident between Limerick’s Seamus Flanagan and Cork’s Niall O’Leary in Saturday’s Division 1A game in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Fan footage of Flanagan jabbing his marker with his hurley circulated on social media on Saturday and was discussed on RTÉ’s “League Sunday” programme. The national fixtures and disciplinary body’s practice usually only considers unedited video as evidence.

It would appear neither referee Seán Stack or his fellow officials saw the incident, which would allow the CCCC to hand down a recommended retrospective punishment should they deem the footage admissible.

Elsewhere, Donegal GAA gave gifts to the match officials involved in Saturday’s Allianz Division 1 game against Dublin. The county board posted a photograph of Kevin Faloon, Niall Cullen and Eoin Murray receiving the gifts from a Ballybofey men’s shop on their social media channels.

The caption read: “Our RAC (referees appointments committee), led by chairman Pat Walsh, organised a goodie bag for the 5 officials at our NFL game v Donegal.” Referee Paddy Neilan was not pictured.

Donegal don’t appear to believe they have done anything wrong but giving gifts to match officials is not usually encouraged.