Referee denies he was hit

Kilkenny referee Paddy Neary yesterday dismissed reports that he was struck at the end of the Leinster hurling championship round robin match between Carlow and Westmeath in Mullingar on Tuesday.

Neary was booed out of Cusack Park by irate Westmeath supporters after a controversial finish which saw Carlow claim victory thanks to a late penalty that produced the winning goal. Converted by Pat Coady, the penalty award ignited some heated reaction among the Westmeath support.

"Not true," is how Neary responded when asked about whether the incident involved physical contact. "You know that I can't comment on the match until after I hand in the referee's report. But it was nothing serious. A few of the Westmeath supporters were a bit irate, but it definitely wasn't assault."

The result proved crucial for Carlow as it puts them into the National League Division Two final against Meath next Sunday, the winner of which will then play Kerry for the right to play in Division One next year.

This incident follows more serious scenes at the conclusion of the football league final earlier this month where Galway referee Michael Curley was hit by a bottle thrown from the crowd.