THE Antrim County Board is set to launch a swift investigation after saturday's U16 B Hurling Championship final between Glenshesk and Belfast Gaels was abandoned after a mass brawl broke out. it was reported that a female photographer who was working at the game was head-butted and an investigation into that incident is likely to centre on Belfast Gaels. social media sites quickly became the platform for condemnation of the brawl.
Antrim Pro Brendan Mulgrew is adamant the responsible parties will be made accountable in the near future.
"i have been informed that there was an incident and that the match was not completed. It's unfortunate that an U16 game cannot be finished because of these circumstances,'' he said.
"our CCC has already launched an investigation and they are looking into it. i don't want to say anything more on the issue until they have conclwuded their investigation.''
Mulgrew added that the Antrim County Board ''does not condone this sort of action and we will not be slow in taking swift action.
''i think our track record in dealing with incidents will show that we will act quickly.
''our thoughts and best wishes are with the photographer. In no way do we want to discourage people from attending our games," added Mulgrew.
While the final was abandoned, Mulgrew says there is no guarantee that a replay will take place. There is the strong possibility that if one team is found to be responsible for the incident, then the trophy could well be awarded to the opposition.
"We will meet ourselves and decide the best course of action,'' said Mulgrew.
''options are open to us at the minute and i can assure you it won't take long for us to act.
''Obviously this is theoretically speaking, but if the investigation shows that one particular team were at fault then we may impose a sanction whereby the game won't even have to be replayed.
''But again, that's a theoretical matter."