THE hostilities that marred Sunday's All Ireland football final replay were sadly continued in one potentially explosive confrontation yesterday between Meath's John McDermott and Mayo's Liam McHale at the reception for the finalists in Croke Park.

The speeches had just been completed at the function, which was hosted by the GAA's Central Council. Meath captain Tommy Dowd, still smarting from being initially refused admission by overly cautious security, and Mayo manager John Maughan bad exchanged post luncheon pleasantries, when McDermott was deemed an unwelcome visitor to McHale's table.

An offer to from McDermott to shake hands was instinctively rejected by an embittered McHale, who then bad some verbal abuse directed at him by the Meath midfielder.

A powder keg situation was worsened when an indignant McDermott persisted in hurling abuse at the Mayo player, who remained restrained.

Finally, McDermott was persuaded to withdraw by McHale's party, which included his fiancee.

McDemott's presence had abruptly interrupted McHale as the Mayo star was explaining how disappointed he was for having been "singled out" by Monaghan referee Pat McEnaney for dismissal in Sunday's game.

"I was following the ball in when all hell broke loose. It was really scary in there. Haymakers were flying from all angles. Frightening is the word. It was the roughest I have ever seen in football or basketball."

McHale continued: "No way was I more guilty than anyone else. I am very disappointed with Pat's (McEnaney's) decision to send me off." Me Hale suggested that his midfield opponent McDermott would have deserved to be sent off.

"I could see Mayo forwards being hit. I went in to help out my mates, to stand up for them. You're running on beaches, eating, drinking and training with your team mates for so long. Things become tense out there. You don't go out to fight, but things happen.

"I couldn't believe it when the referee singled me out. Maybe it would have been better had be sent off two midfielders or had be got the two captains together to sort it out and anyone who was going to act the maggot after that could put up with the consequences.

McHale's forecast for the sort of match likely to develop when Meath and Mayo next meet is far from encouraging. "The next time we play it will not be a pleasant sight," he said.

"The referee has taken an awful lot away from me. As far as I can see it's a case of win at all costs for some players."

McHale added: "I was hit all around the place."

He is particularly sorry about missing next Sunday's Mayo county final between his club, Ballina Stephenites and Knockmore. McHale (30) said that he was thinking of retiring from the game but he has now changed his mind.

GAA president Jack Boothman apologised to the parents of young players who witnessed Sunday's fracas. He insisted that it was "not the norm" and intends to drive this message home when he talks to the juvenile sector in Connacht shortly.

Sean O'Leary, the chairman of the Games Administration Committee, could not give a precise date for the next meeting of his committee but it is understood that video evidence will be used when Sunday's incidents are being investigated.

It was generally accepted that it was tough on two heroes of the drawn match to be sent to the line.

Dowd and some of his players had spent a considerable time trying to negotiate entry to yesterday's reception. This was later described by Danny Lynch, the public relations officer of the GAA, as a "hiccup".

Dowd, after posing for pictures with the Sam Maguire Cup in the forecourt at the entrance to the new Cusack Stand, was refused admission because he had not got an official ticket of invitation. He was still carrying the cup.

"It was very humiliating for me and the lads," said Dowd. Team manager Sean Boylan said: "We did not come here for a free lunch." Other Meath officials claimed that the 60 plus tickets they received did not constitute enough invitations.

Confusion reigned as players found themselves without tickets for the function and security personnel reacted rigidly.

Tommy Dowd said: "I don't wish to make a big issue of it, but players are usually given passes for drinks up here after matches on Sunday. Their wives and girlfriends seemingly cannot come up here.

Boothman tried his best to defuse the crux by calling the new Cusack stand area "Fort Knox". Unlike the situation that obtains when the post match lunch is held in a hotel, seats were restricted to 420 yesterday.

Danny Lynch said that there was "no malice aforethought" intended. "There was no wish to cause any impediment or inconvenience to anybody," he said.

. Ballina Stephenites are in contact with the Games Administration Committee of the UAA to have the automatic suspension on their midfielder, Liam McHale, lifted for next Sunday's Mayo senior football championship final.

The club maintains that McHale was harshly treated when sent off in Sunday's All Ireland replay. Club secretary Michael Kilkenny said yesterday that the incident leading to the player's sending off was orchestrated by Meath players.

"We are hopeful that the suspension will be delayed so that Liam, who would hold a place on any Irish team, can assist us in the final.

"If not, we will have to reshuffle our team, but his absence would be a loss."