South Kerry Minor Final - Unsavoury scenes.

[AZOffaly]

Not like the independent to jump all over this  but it seems as if there is more to this than the usual in fairness. The people responsible should be jailed, never mind banned from the GAA. (Apologies if this has been posted before)

From the Indo.

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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

[Billys Boots]

Are Skellig Rangers fom Ballinskelligs AZ?

[dubnut]

Jaysus it really doesnt take much to have the media screaming about the disgrace that is the GAA.
But these idiots really make it hard to put up an argument.

The club whose supporters were involved should be banned from all competions, all their teams for a fixed period of time.
Maybe a bit harsh, but maybe thats what it takes.

[sureyouwill]

Jaysus it really doesnt take much to have the media screaming about the disgrace that is the GAA.
But these idiots really make it hard to put up an argument.

The club whose supporters were involved should be banned from all competions, all their teams for a fixed period of time.
Maybe a bit harsh, but maybe thats what it takes.

The inviduals who assaulted the ref should be charged with assault, it's too easy to take action against clubs - take action against those who committed the offence and if that needs to be legal action sobeit!

[hows she cutting]

disgrace

not throwing stones as it happens in every county, but these morons need to be charged and banged up for assault

what makes normally mild mannered people think they can do this on a GAA field
we can all get a bit heated watching our team when we feel something has gone against us but it's time the GAA took a firmer stance against things like this

[dubnut]

The problem is that when theres a whole crowd of people its hard to pinpoint who did what from a legal point of view.
Its unfortunate but I do believe taking action against the club is the only way to sort this out.

[TORGAEL]

Perhaps in a situation as serious as this, the club should be forced to give up the names of the culprits so that the appropriate action can be taken by both the GAA and the police. Those involved in this should be banned from the GAA for life and suffer the full weight of the law.

[sureyouwill]

The problem is that when theres a whole crowd of people its hard to pinpoint who did what from a legal point of view.
Its unfortunate but I do believe taking action against the club is the only way to sort this out.

And what will it sort out - the club will be banned and what - next week at another match - some tool goes ape runs on to slap the ref and thinks "Shit my club could be punished here" - the clubs have a responsibility to ensure there is a safe environment to play Gaelic Games much in the same way car manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure their product is safe, but if a f**king tool gets behind a wheel off his head on drink or drugs or drives at 100 miles ah nour through a built up area it isn't the car manufacturers fault - much in the same way it isn't the clubs fault if some tool  of an irrate parent or supporter attends a match and decides to lamp the ref, this will only stop when individuals are punished.

[AZOffaly]

Billy, Skellig Rangers are actually Portmagee.

Ballinskelligs play with Foilmore, I think their minoker is St. Michaels. Everyone calls them Bally/Foilmore

[dubnut]

sureyouwill, ,my thought on punishing the club isnt perfect, I know that.
And the clubs may sometimes be unjustly punished.
I just dont think it will be easy to pinpoint the exact troublemakers, especially when several people are involved.
I cant honestly think of a foolproof solution.

Its just a pity people wont cop on, they are only hurting the sport they claim to support.

[cloneman]

Why is there this sudden surge in violence at GAA matches?  Or is it something that has always happened and is just getting more widespread media attention?

Is it any wonder there is a shortage of referees when this kind of thing happens!!

[never kickt a ball]

My experience recently is that sometimes the rows are very dosile but the media gets hold of them and blows them out of proportion. (Dublin V Tyrone?) At other times the melees or rows can be extremely violent and dangerous but by the next day the "handbags" brigade start their spin to protect the name of the GAA. The big mistake in a row is to get caught on television. Then it is impossible to spin your way out of it (stewartstown v Bally....). Do you ever notice there is usually a small amount of people who try to stop the row or who valiantly protect the referee if they are under attack. They are usually the unsung heros.   

[Owenmoresider]

Couldn't find the appropraite thread but this was closest. Read somewhere today that Cooper's Dr Crokes became the first Kerry team to beat Nemo in the Munster Championship. Is this true?

O'Neill, think it's the first time Nemo haven't won Munster when they were in the competition itself.

[Ball Hopper]

Couldn't find the appropraite thread but this was closest. Read somewhere today that Cooper's Dr Crokes became the first Kerry team to beat Nemo in the Munster Championship. Is this true?

O'Neill, think it's the first time Nemo haven't won Munster when they were in the competition itself.

oneill,

Nemo Rangers have 15 Cork County titles, and have 13 Munster Club titles.  Apart from this year, 1977 was the only year they failed to come out of Munster.  The All Ireland Club series, played in spring of 1978, had Thomond College, Limerick as Munster representatives.

Some record by Nemo, in fairness to them.

No idea if Thomond beat Nemo that year, and have no idea on where to look for any such records.

[Pangurban]

The Referee is free to press charges, if he so wishes, i can think of no reason why he should not do so. Its time the thuggish offenders were held accountable for their actions and not the often innocent club,whose name they besmirch