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Snakes on a play-ing field: Rugby league game interrupted by lethal pitch invader

Who knew the sidelines could be such a dangerous place.

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NOW THIS IS something you’d never see in Musgrave Park.

In the NRL match between Gold Coast Titans and North Queensland Cowboys this morning, a poisonous snake slithered onto the sidelines sending fans scurrying for safety.

And with good reason.

The Eastern Brown snake is considered the second most venomous land-snake in the world after the Inland Taipan and a bite from one can result in diarrhoea, dizziness, convulsions, renal failure, paralysis, cardiac arrest and — you guessed it — death.

While there didn’t appear to be a St. Patrick about to help rid the stadium of the unwanted pitch invader, this man tried his best.

The game continued despite the snake and it eventually disappeared from view after about 10 minutes.

The Titans went on to win 13-12 and, thankfully, nobody was bitten.

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    Mute Dean Mac Glennáin
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    Mar 4th 2016, 10:56 AM

    It’s going to be an interesting season. It’s hard to call who’s going to win it since all the clubs change around so much. Dundalk should win it again on paper but this Cork side looks good. I really rated Bolger last season and thought he held pats together in midfield so with the players around him I’d say cork could be that bit harder to beat.

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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    Mar 4th 2016, 9:42 AM

    Are clubs still paying a yearly registration fee. If so what is it this year?

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    Mute Colin Mullen.
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    Mar 4th 2016, 3:23 PM

    Hard to know if Dundalk will still have the hunger. Last season was all about becoming the first Dundalk team to win two in a row, this season, I think a decent run in Europe is the aim. Maybe that will affect our league progress. Having said that, it’s hard to see a better team in the league.

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    Mute Dean Mac Glennáin
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    Mar 4th 2016, 3:46 PM

    Maybe fix up the ground should be part of this seasons plan too for Dundalk with the recent success , it has to be the worst stadium in Ireland. How it got approved for European football last season still has me shocked.

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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    Mar 4th 2016, 3:59 PM

    Problem with lease that is preventing them from upgrading. http://www.the42.ie/dundalk-statement-oriel-park-2585281-Feb2016/

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    Mute Dean Mac Glennáin
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    Mar 4th 2016, 4:26 PM

    Compleatly forgot about that ! Fair point it’s a sticky situation.

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    Mute Colin Mullen.
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    Mar 4th 2016, 6:37 PM

    Have to agree with you, the stadium is in a shocking state. Unfortunately the leasing issue seems to be holding up any developments. Personally I’d love to see the pitch ripped up and a return to grass.

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