Violence once again reared its ugly head when referee Gearoid O'Regan was the victim of a series of savage assaults, after the final whistle sounded yesterday to end a highly-charged Kerry senior hurling championship semi-final between Kilmoyley and Ballyduff at Austin Stack Park, Tralee.

Having played three minutes injury-time, the Ballyheigue official called time - with Kilmoyley snatching victory on a 1-13 to 1-11 scoreline in a game that saw two Ballyduff players sent off in the final quarter.

Immediately, a Ballyduff player ran to the referee and, tossing his helmet aside, was seen throwing punches at O'Regan until he was eventually restrained. Then another individual - who had come in from the sideline - started striking the shaken official in front of a shocked crowd of over 3,000.

Three stewards tried to rescue the referee as he tried to escape to the tunnel and the safety of the changing room but another wave of Ballyduff supporters invaded the pitch from the stands. In the ensuing unsavoury scenes the referee was assaulted again and the stewards ended up on the ground.

Eventually, as the referee made it to the tunnel a Ballyduff supporter who had scaled a fence was seen making it through the tunnel, as the violence continued unabated.

The referee made it to the dressing-room door, where four individuals continued their assault. Eventually, with the help of some stewards and onlookers, he managed to close the door and order was finally restored.

The match official, a teacher in Co Offaly, was badly bruised on the left side of his face. The Garda were called and after being seen by a doctor, O'Regan was removed to Tralee General Hospital for treatment and tests.