Connacht Council waiting for referee's report

IT’S STILL unclear what if any sanctions will be handed down by the Connacht Council arising from the unruly scenes that marred Sunday’s AIB club football final between St Brigid’s and Corofin in Kiltoom.

Mayo referee Liam Devenney and his umpires were surrounded and jostled on the pitch after the St Brigid’s one-point win, 0-11 to 0-10.

The referee had attracted the displeasure of the travelling support by favouring the Roscommon champions by nearly two to one on the free count, as well as disallowing what looked on video replay to be a valid goal for Corofin in the first half.

At the end, Devenney and his officials withdrew to the far side of the field from the dressingrooms and were quickly surrounded, although stewards were able to intervene and escort the beleaguered group to the safety of the enclosure.

“We will await the referee’s report and we will take whatever action is necessitated,” said a spokesman for the Connacht Council, although in the meantime it appears only a couple of Corofin supporters were involved, and not any of the team.

But it’s the second weekend in succession that club action has been marred by such unruly action – members of the Carrickmore and Dromore clubs last night appeared before a disciplinary hearing in Tyrone to account for their actions during last week’s Division One league final, which was marred by violence.

Officials of the Competitions Control Committee will question people from both clubs in what will be a vital stage of a major investigation into disturbances in the closing stages of the game at Dunmoyle.

Fighting between players on the field spread to the stand, where a number of spectators sustained injuries.

Violence erupted four minutes from the end of the title decider, which Dromore won by five points to complete the league and championship double.