Northern Ireland

Unclear what action Tyrone GAA bosses will take after mass brawl marred club championship game

The brawl broke out at Healy Park on Friday
The brawl broke out at Healy Park on Friday The brawl broke out at Healy Park on Friday

IT remained unclear last night what action Tyrone GAA bosses will take after a mass brawl marred a club championship game.

The intermediate first-round tie between Strabane and Stewartstown descended into chaos with video footage showing kicks and punches being thrown on the pitch on Friday night.

Around 30 players are believed to have been involved in the shocking scenes at Healy Park in Omagh. At least one player was left on the ground needing treatment.

The trouble came during a tense game between the two rival sides, with a Stewartstown player given a red card during the match and another four handed out following the trouble.

Stewartstown went on to the win the game by 1-19 to 2-13 after extra time.

It is expected that Tyrone GAA will launch an investigation into the brawl, but will await receipt of the referee's official match report before any action is taken.

It is likely that suspensions and bans for both sides will be among the actions considered by the Tyrone County Board.

However, the board had last night not responded to an Irish News request for comment.

The scenes were described as "an absolute disgrace" by social media users calling on GAA officials to take action after the two clubs.

One man said that the GAA "needs to look again at it’s disciplinary procedures and how they are being implemented. Both clubs should be kicked out of the competition and hefty fines imposed. People go to jail every week for a lot less".

Another social media also said: "Embarrassing stuff yet again, wouldn't be acceptable anywhere else so why is it acceptable on the football field. No excuse for it", while another added that "anybody who came in off the line should have the book thrown at them".

It comes just three months after players from the Tyrone under-20 football team were involved in a mass brawl during an Ulster Championship game against Armagh at the Armagh Athletic Grounds.

Suspensions were handed out following the disturbance although several were overturned following appeals.