GAA President Sean Kelly promised a full investigation into yesterday’s ugly scenes of violence which marred the NFL Division 1A opener between All-Ireland champions Tyrone and Dublin at Healy Park in Omagh.
Referee Paddy Russell handed out no less than 14 yellow cards and sent four players off in a game which became reduced to ongoing brawls less than five minutes after the throw-in. Throughout the game Russell struggled to maintain any sort of control on proceedings in an ill-tempered affair which saw Dublin beat Tyrone 1-9 to 1-6.
Instead of the 12,000 witnessing a spectacle of sporting prowess they saw fight after fight occur all over the pitch, with one in particular spilling over into the stands.
Tyrone’s Colin Holmes and Dublin’s Alan Brogan received straight red cards, while Footballer of the Year Stephen O'Neill and Dublin midfielder Denis Bastic were dismissed after second yellows cards.
In all Dublin had eight players booked, Tyrone the other six. By the end Russell had to be escorted off the pitch to avoid the wrath and actions of angry fans.
In response to what unfolded Kelly said: "While nobody wants to pre-empt the enquiry into what occurred and nobody wants to apportion blame, a lot of what went on was totally unacceptable. The matter will be fully investigated and the rules of the Association will be applied."
"The matter will be fully investigated by the Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC) on receipt of the referee’s report and appropriate action will be taken," added Kelly.
Before the game county managers and referees had already agreed to meet next Monday to find a way for both parties to assist each other through the league campaign.