The 16th Man

GAA President Christy Cooney says the Association’s disciplinary systems will deal with those who were involved in the violent scenes which marred last Sunday’s All-Ireland JFC semi-final between Derrytresk and Dromid Pearses.

Video footage of a mass brawl on the sideline just before half-time showed players and mentors from both sides clashing, with Derrytresk substitutes and supporters making their way onto the pitch to get involved.

Dromid midfielder Thomas Curran was left concussed and team-mate Denis ‘Shine’ O’Sullivan has a broken cheekbone as a result of the fracas in Portlaoise.

Dromid’s O’Sullivan, who had stud marks on his back, and Colm O’Connor were both sent-off in the second half.

It was also claimed that Kerry star Declan O’Sullivan was hit with a handbag at the end of the game.

Derrytresk went on to win the match on a 1-10 to 0-7 scoreline, but a war of words has since erupted while Croke Park officials await an official report from referee Francis Flynn and the gardaí say they are waiting to talk to ‘a number of people’ in connection with the incident.

Asked for his take on events in Portlaoise, GAA President Christy Cooney said: “You know what happened in the (Louth-Meath Leinster final in 2010). There were people that came onto the field and certain matters were taken up by the gardaí and went through due process.

“There were issues in Antrim last year and the Antrim County Board dealt with that very strongly. There were issues in Tyrone and the Tyrone County Board dealt with that very strongly.

“I’m sure there were a lot of people in Portlaoise who had no involvement in the situation and went there for the purpose of supporting their team and enjoying the game. People who have misbehaved have to be dealt with and the Central Competitions Control Committee will do that.”

A number of high profile GAA pundits and ex-players have passed comment on what occurred at O’Moore Park, but Meath GAA legend Colm O’Rourke played down the incident.

“When I heard about it first I thought this was a complete running brawl. From what I saw on television it was over quickly and I didn’t see to many people throwing punches at all,” he told radio station Newstalk.

“It did appear worse because spectators came in off the stand but to me, most of the people involved were peacemakers more than combatants. So I don’t have the moral outrage at this incident that seems to be prevalent.”

A war of words has erupted between the clubs involved however, with Dromid Pearses manager Michael Anthony O’Connell asking for Derrytresk to be thrown out of the All-Ireland Junior Championship.

“When our fellas went to shake hands with them, the Derrytresk (players) went for their testicles and pulled them at the start of the game. That conduct has no place on a football field. What they wanted was for our players to retaliate, but we are better than that,” O’Connell told the Irish Independent.

“Somebody has to put their foot down. What happened on Sunday has no place in the GAA, it was disgraceful. I don’t think I will ever go to a football game again if they are not thrown out. The GAA has to make a stand now.

“There were kids crying in the stand, frightened by what was going on. How do you expect kids to go to football games when this happens?”

For their part, Tyrone side Derrytresk have released a statement on the matter hitting out at the allegations made against their club and commending the match officials for their handling of what was a hard-fought game.

“It is disturbing to be on the receiving end of a number of quite serious allegations which have been aimed directly at our club since Sunday afternoon,” the statement read.

“We are disappointed that such allegations have been aired by GAA people through various media outlets over the last 24 hours.

“We believe that the referee and his officials were best placed to deal with all aspects of Sunday’s game. We remain confident that the GAA itself is best placed to provide the correct channels to deal with all matters which may or may not arise from this game.”