Council act on under 21 feud

THE Leinster Council has decided to call a number of players, mentors and board officials from both counties" to give evidence at its investigation in to the riotous scenes that marred last Saturday's provincial Under 21 football quarter final between Dublin and Offaly at Parnell Park.

Although last night's meeting in Portlaoise was arranged prior to last weekend's events, the council did receive referee Frank Toher's match report. After discussing the affair, they decided to call a number of people (who will be notified in writing within the next two days) to next Wednesday's executive council meeting. The names of the people requested to appear were not disclosed last night.

The match developed in to disorder five minutes from the end of normal time when a Dublin player, Paul Croft, was fouled off the ball. Subsequently, a Dublin official was involved in an on the pitch altercation with an Offaly player following which the disorder, which lasted approximately seven minutes and involved up to 40 people, broke out.

Three players were sent off after the episode, Dublin's Croft, and Offaly pair John Mason and Trevor Willis. Another Offaly player, John Green, had received his marching orders earlier. Dublin, who won with a goal scored in the 11th minute of injury time, are scheduled to meet Meath in the semi final on Easter Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Leinster Council last night closed matters on the St Patrick's, Navan St Mel's, Longford, Leinster Colleges final which was marked by an incident late in the game when Mel's team official Declan Rowley and corner forward Donal Brennan were felled. No action is to be taken against any St Patrick's player.