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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

After over 20 years without a Senior title, South Kerry have the opportunity to make it 3 in a row next Sunday in Killarney. They will be taking on Gooch, Brosnan and the rest of the Dr. Crokes in a rematch of last year's decider. A couple of things that might reverse the result of last year would maybe be

1) Fitness worries over Declan O'Sullivan, and the definitely out John Sugrue of Renard. Sugrue is a fine midfielder who would be pushing for a county spot were he not a physio working up in Portlaoise up until recently. His injury is a big blow to himself, career wise in that he was opening his own practise in Kerry, and to South Kerry and Renard.

2) Maurice Fitzgerald is a year older, and no longer an automatic starter, although if Declan is injured he may well be on from the start.

3) Poor form of Paddy Curran. The super Waterville minor is a cause for concern, as his confidence seems to have been rattled since the minor replay.

4) The Gooch is fresh. Last year he was after being in Australia on the WWE tribute tour, and after the Australians had battered him, he was off the pace when he came back.

5) No replay for Crokes. Last year Crokes had a very tight schedule with a semi final replay against Gaelteacht I think, right before the final. Again due to Gooch's travels. They were knackered for the final.

6) Brosnan is healthy. Last year Brosnan was ill, and unable to perform. This year he is confident and fit.

All in all the balance would seem to be tipping towards the men from Killarney, but this is a battle hardened South Kerry side, and they always seem to play above the sum of their parts in the past few years. An intriguing aspect of this match is the continued perceived divide between the Crokes lads and the South Kerry lads on the Kerry panel. Gooch never went to South Kerry with Sam on the traditional march to the home captain's club. Gooch stayed in Killarney rather than hitting Dromid, and that has raised eyebrows down there.

In any case, it should be a good game, and I will be making the trek to Fitzgerald stadium on Sunday, le gcunamh Dé.

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