GAA president Aogan O Fearghail yesterday threw his weight behind the official investigation into the fracas that left Dublin footballer Davy Byrne hospitalised with a broken nose.
Utility player Byrne was unable to play any part in the Dubs’ Leinster final win over Westmeath on Sunday due to injuries sustained in a challenge match between Dublin and Armagh in Glasnevin on July 2.
Speaking for the first time about the matter, O Fearghail said there could be no “local arrangements” and no “behind-closed-doors” affairs in the GAA.
“If an incident happens it should be investigated,” said the Cavan man at the official launch of the GAA All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship in Kilkenny.
The Association’s Central Competition Controls Committee is to reopen an investigation, and the president gave the move his full backing.
“There are no games behind closed doors as far as I’m concerned,” said O Fearghail.
“I wouldn’t be comfortable as president of an association that had games behind closed doors. I don’t like that idea. I don’t think that’s healthy and I don’t think there was a game behind closed doors.
“It was a game that permission was sought for and permission happened. There seems to be evidence that an incident occurred. I would expect now that that’s properly dealt with, that’s my belief.
“I think every game that is played, whether it is an All-Ireland final or a parish game, a club game, a challenge game or whatever, every game is governed by the same rules. Every game is governed by the same principles.
“I don’t interfere with the day- to-day running of how games are organised. But I certainly have a view that every game has to follow the same rules, the same principles and when an incident occurs, if it occurs, it should be investigated in the exact same way for all games – no difference.”
The Cavan official said it would be unfair to comment on whether or not there was a code of silence involved because neither county has said much about the alleged incident.
However, O Fearghail said he was pleased to learn that the players had been on friendly terms afterwards.
“When a fixture happens, administration should follow our procedures, and I expect that to happen,” he continued.
“I expect our CCC will follow procedures and protocol.”
The president said there was an obligation on thosen who had information about the alleged incident to help the investigation.
“If an incident happened somebody must have some information, and there is definitely an obligation on people then to co-operate with any investigation that may follow,” he said.
“If something happens that is against our rules and regulations, it should be dealt with it.
“You can’t gently hit someone, or you can’t hit him a wee bit. If a strike takes place it takes place. To me that wouldn’t be the absolute reason for it.
“To me what would be important is that if it has occurred it should be dealt with and all the evidence should be gathered. I would expect our CCC to do that.
“I would be adamant that every game has to be treated in the same way. I think our system is quite strong on the principles of investigative procedures.”
