Ban for life and criminal charges

[ballymanabroad]

VIOLENCE on the GAA's club scene is on the agenda again after a Kerry referee at a minor game was "Kung Fu kicked in the stomach" by an irate supporter.

This latest example of disgraceful behaviour adds to the growing hall of shame that has embarrassed leading GAA officials in recent weeks.

Only on Saturday, GAA President Nickey Brennan described the spate of unsavoury behaviour as "completely unacceptable" and declared: "We need to get rid of that aspect in our games . . . we've seen people fighting and going crazy on the field. Some of the players coming out are wired to the moon."

The most recent chapter in club violence took place at the weekend when a mob of 'supporters' set upon referee Michael Curran in the shocking aftermath of the South Kerry divisional minor football championship final.

The local derby between Waterville and Skellig Rangers had actually passed without major incident and the referee had only handed out three yellow cards.

But violence exploded after a dramatic injury-time goal from a 20-metre free. Despite lining most of their players across the goal-line, Skellig Rangers were unable to prevent Kerry minor star Paddy Curran finding the net and securing Waterville a one-point victory.

The referee - a member of Dromid Pearses, the same club as outgoing Kerry boss Jack O'Connor - blew the final whistle a couple of minutes later, but before he could get off the pitch, he was attacked by a group of incensed Skellig 'supporters' who were apparently protesting at the amount of stoppage-time played.

One ran at him, jumped in the air and savagely kicked him in what one witness said "was like something out of a kung fu movie."

Others joined in by raining down blows on his head and spitting at him, and Curran's injuries could have been worse if it weren't for the fact that some bystanders - including a Skellig Rangers' official - came to his rescue.

Curran, who also referees at senior level and took charge of this year's county minor final, would make no comment yesterday when contacted by the Irish Independent.

But it is understood that he will give a detailed account of what happened in his match report to the South Kerry Board, whose officials seem certain to respond with a thorough investigation.

The incident, at Caherciveen, occurred on a pitch which has a low boundary barrier but is not enclosed.

Ironically, Caherciveen is the home village of Sports Minister John O'Donoghue who raised eyebrows over the weekend when he suggested that the GAA, in certain circumstances, should encourage its players to take court action against those responsible for violent acts.

Cliona Foley - The Irish Independent

[Lone Shark]

There's really nothing to be said about this. I don't care what the circumstances were, because no doubt they'll be advanced in the case of this thug. Life ban and assault charges are just about right.

And we wonder why there are problems getting referees. Madness.

[Kevin]

Referee assaulting is very rare in my neck of the woods.

If it happened in my (soccer) club I have no doubt of a lifetime ban would be imposed in addition to the scorn of the whole community.

Good luck to them getting involved with any other sports, word travels fast.

As to criminal charges, if its a crime anywhere else...