Leinster GAA is due to conduct an investigation after scenes of violence marred an intermediate clubs pitching match at Parnell Park on Saturday.
A fight broke out between players in the Leinster Throwing Intermediate Quarter-Finals involving Wexford’s Oulart-The Ballagh and Dublin’s Naomh Barróg.
Images of the brawl on social media showed the scrum, which involved players from both sides, erupting below the stand at Parnell Park and escalating as fans began to compete on the stand.
Leinster GAA President Pat Teehan said he unequivocally condemned the violence.
“We play hundreds of games every weekend in a spirit of enjoyment for both players and spectators and unfortunately we get isolated incidents which are rightly highlighted in the media and elsewhere, because they have no place in our games. We must deal them in as harsh a manner as we can, but also in a fair manner,” reports RTE.
He said the Leinster GAA would review the referee’s report and study its content before conducting a formal investigation into the incident.
He said the referee’s report would be available within the next 24 hours, after which an immediate meeting of the Leinster Competition Control Committee would take place to discuss it.
When asked if the Leinster GAA would lodge a complaint with the Gardai regarding the incident, Mr Teehan said that if there were to be an investigation into the Garda, the GAA would cooperate fully with it.
He said the Leinster GAA would decide whether or not to file a complaint with the GAA as part of its investigation.
Speaking to RTÉ’s This Week program, An Garda Síochána said he was aware of video circulating on social media of an accident during a sporting event: “In general terms this incident, similar to other footage circulating online, emanated from the field of play and was confined to the match venue, which is first and foremost the responsibility of event officials, stewards and the Sporting body concerned.”
“Any complaints made to An Garda Síochána arising from such incidents are fully investigated” the statement said, reported RTE.
Teehan said it was unfortunate that the people who brought the children to the game had to witness such scenes of violence and that the GAA would deal with the incident as harshly and fairly as possible within the rules.
Separately, Sports Minister Jack Chambers has called for a full and thorough investigation of the incident.
Mr. Chambers said that the scenes of violence are shocking and cannot be accepted.
“We’ve seen strong sanctions for other violent incidents that occurred during the summer and since then, and we need to see similar follow through on sanctions for anyone involved in such a melee,” he said, reports RTE.
Minister Chambers said that sport should be about participation and inclusion, and that the scenes send the wrong message to any young person who watches them.
Asked how such scenes can be avoided in the future, Chambers said Sport Ireland has been asked to engage with governing bodies to ensure there are “positive messages” across clubs and the basis that they are not You can accept any type of violence in any sport.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.