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BBC Sport Online: Northern Ireland


Monday, 18 September, 2000, 15:55 GMT 16:55 UK

Antrim's emergency meeting



Brawl

Antrim GAA officials hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday night to discuss Sunday's county football final violence.

Sunday was a dreadful day for Ulster GAA as a further mass brawl took place at an Armagh Football Championship game between Clan na Gael and Pearse Ogs.

Two players are understood to have started fighting before other team members, officials and spectators also got involved.

The match was eventually won by Pearse Ogs 1-10 to 0-11.

Armagh secretary Paddy Nugent has confirmed that an investigation will take place although the county's deliberations could be inhibited as they do not have a match video.

Firm action

TV footage of the Casement Park debacle is, however, available and Antrim county chairman Joe O'Boyle has insisted firm action will be taken against the St Paul's and Cargin personnel involved in the violence.

Players, officials and spectators all appeared to be play an active role in the disgraceful scenes which have brought shame on Antrim GAA.


Paddy Nugent

Holders Cargin defeated old rival St Paul's 0-9 to 0-5 in the Tennents sponsored decider but the result was deemed largely irrelevant because of the appalling finale.

Tuesday evening's gathering will be the first in a series of meetings to probe the Casement Park violence.

Called in

Both clubs are certain to be called in to discuss exactly what happened and could be represented at Tuesday's meeting.

Referee Raymond Doone's report should also be ready for the emergency meeting.

Antrim chairman O'Boyle told BBC sport that the trouble appeared to originate near the St Paul's goals.

"There seemed to be a lot of spectators coming over the wire and getting involved.

"We'll be investigating the matter as soon as we get the referee's report. We'll take the necessary action,'' insisted O'Boyle.


There seemed to be a lot of spectators coming over the wire and getting involved
Antrim GAA chairman Joe O'Boyle

The Antrim chairman was reluctant to comment on what response the county will make to the violence.

However he did acknowledge that the Saffron disciplinary authorities possess the power to throw both teams out of the competition, if they see fit.

Cargin are due to take on Derry Champions Bellaghy in the AIB Ulster Club Championship next month but there may now be doubts about Antrim participation in the provincial competition.

Thrown out

However, the betting is that Cargin and St Paul's will be thrown out of next year's Antrim Football Championship which would leave the Toome club free to take on Bellaghy next month.

"I wouldn't like to say what action we will take. This doesn't do anything for the game at all.


Joe O'Boyle

"Anybody who is involved in sport at all would be appalled by what happened.

"That includes both clubs who have spoken about their horror about what has happened and have apologised."

Start immediately

O'Boyle added that the county's investigation would start immediately.

With Croke Park certain to monitor closely what disciplinary verdicts are handed out, Antrim will almost certainly feel compelled to heavily punish those involved in the violent scenes.

Earlier this year, GAA president Sean McCague indicated that they would be a major crackdown against one-in all-in outbreaks.

Video footage indicates that as many as 50 people, including several spectators, were involved in Sunday's violence.

Related to this story:
Antrim final marred by fighting (17 Sep 00 | Northern Ireland)
Big weekend of club action (15 Sep 00 | Northern Ireland)


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