LIMERICK GAA CHIEFS will meet tonight to discuss the events that marred yesterday’s county senior football final in the Gaelic Grounds when a club player was involved in an altercation with an angry fan who encroached onto the pitch.
The incident took place towards the end of the game between Newcastlewest and Dromcollogher-Broadford when Newcastlewest player James Kelly was confronted by a spectator who came onto the pitch from the North Stand.
Kelly had just sent-off after being shown a second yellow card by referee Richard Moloney from Bruff when the altercation occurred and he appeared to be struck by the supporter.
The play continued while the incident occurred with Dromcollogher-Broadford taking a quick free that had been awarded after Kelly was fouled and they set in motion a move that culminated with their attacker Micheál Reidy firing over the point that ensured the teams were tied at the final whistle.
The incident is set to come up for discussion at a previously scheduled CCC meeting of the Limerick county board that will take place tonight in the Gaelic Grounds. Moloney has been asked to issue his report of the game in time for the meeting.
The match ended in a draw at 2-7 to 0-13 with Kelly having had a major impact on the game as he fired 2-2 for Newcastlewest. A younger brother of established Limerick senior footballer Stephen Kelly, James has represented his county and started in their provincial senior semi-final loss to Kerry last year.
The replay of yesterday’s game will take place next Friday night in the Gaelic Grounds. It had been scheduled to take place on Saturday night but Newcastlewest wing-forward Shay Lyons is getting married next Saturday and the match was postponed as a result.
Newcastlewest will be chasing their first title at this level in 20 years while Drom-Broadford were victorious in the deciders in 2008 and 2009.
GAA fans behaving like English footie hooligans – AGAIN! Name and shame the thugs and slap them with a harsh sentence.
Looks as if James is well able to look after himself…
Tut, Tut! boys must play. I wonder have they seen themselves in that photo today and are they any way embarrassed.
Sheila why should James be embarrassed? Some nut job tries to attack him, he is entitled and expected to defend himself!!!
Don’t worry the GAA will take this incident very serious and ban him, then the ccc will reduce the ban, then another committee will review the whole situation and form another committee, and rule that the player was at fault for leaving his chin exposed for the punch. That’s the GAA way.
Excellent analysis!
@Eamonn Comerford
Very witty!
I agree by and large with you comment. That mindset needs to be stopped by the GAA as an organisation. The player shud make a complaint to the Gardai. Then it has to be investigated and hopefully brought to a swift conclusion. However I have no doubt whatsoever that the player in question has got a sore ear answering the phone all day begging him do do the decent thing. It’s sad really.
and then they’ll ban Paul Galvin for two games.
I was at a fight once and a hurling match broke out.
Junior B!!
The GAA will come out and say they are shocked and saddened by this incident and feel they have no choice but to ban Paul Galvin for 6 months. : )
Could be worse , if he’d been in Limerick yesterday he’d probably get 12 months
3 days after he hit Kirkland, Aaron Cawley gets four months. That’s swift justice. will be avidly watching the news on Wednesday on my saorview telly for updates on the onfield attacker here.
Congratulations on making the switch to saorview.
4 months in jail … thats what that coward got for hitting goalkeeper in leeds match last friday …
Kelly shoulda cracked his jaw!
What is there to investigate and why does the GAA set itself above the law! There is clear and unambiguous evidence of a criminal assault that took place on GAA property with a video recording.
Call the Gardai and make a formal complaint. Simple.
If the assault was of a sexual nature would the GAA behave in the same manner?
Does the GAA accept this animal behaviour as normal.
Would you let your kids be trained and coached in a place where this behaviour is permitted without the Gardai being called?
Totally agree Paddy, the GAA has a ridiculous record of crowd disturbances and violence both on and off the pitch, it is about time this was addressed. There is a culture of violence associated with GAA and often a light hearted approach taken to these incidents, about time they were made abide by the laws of the land.
It’s typical GAA, both from the ‘fan’ and the GAA’s response.
It is such behaviour that has many thinking about the sports they would like their kids to play.
The Gardai can only prosecute if Kelly decides to make a statement of complaint, which I bet he probably won’t given the parochial nature and influence of the GAA and figures within it. It’s not the first time this has happened. I recall Paidi O’Se being attacked as manager of Kerry in Croke Park on one particular occasion – and that was by a Kerry supporter. The GAA should take a firm stand with respect to such incidents now and in the future. Ban him at the very least.
Paddy Power should run a book on whether this man gets jail or even appears in court. This behaviour is promoted simply by non-action. Our kids are being reared on a diet of bad behaviour from all the so called pullers of society ie. church , GAA , Politicians , Bankers, and worst of all the judges who ultimately think this is ok.
It’s the stuff of “hardy bucks” tv
So, my original comment was removed. I’ll try again. People, don’t judge this man for what he did based on this incident alone. There is a bigger picture here for anyone who knows this players history and behaviour on and off the pitch.
look at the monkies flinging their faeces at one another. look.. look at them. *clap* *clap*…
It’s a disgrace that so much violence is comin out in our sports.he is a disgrace and shud b barred from Attending matches. What us he teachin the younger generation.