THE Down County Board is to investigate an alleged assault on referee Brendan Rice during Tuesday night’s senior league clash between Kilcoo and Clonduff.
It is understood the Warrenpoint whistler – who was the man in the middle for last month’s All-Ireland senior ladies’ final between Dublin and Galway - was struck by a Clonduff player during the first half of the game, which took place in Kilcoo.
A Clonduff player had been shown a red card prior to the incident.
Following a short delay, the match resumed and Rice officiated the remainder of the game.
“It will be discussed at our next executive meeting on Tuesday,” said Clonduff chairman Padraig Matthews.
“Brendan Rice is a fantastic referee, I have the greatest respect for him, and we completely condemn any instance of abuse in our games.
“Referees and officials deserve the respect of all players and supporters, and we’re totally against anything of this nature.”
Just four days after defeating the Yellas in semi-final of the Down championship, Kilcoo prevailed again, 0-9 to 0-4, to secure the Division One title.
However, the game itself was overshadowed by that first half incident, and the Down County Board confirmed its intention to launch an investigation into the matter.
“Down GAA can confirm that the county’s CCC will investigate events from last night's All-County football league fixture of Kilcoo and Clonduff on receipt of the referee’s match report,” read a statement.
“Down GAA will be making no further comment until this process has concluded.”
According to the GAA’s official guide, the proposed penalty for “striking or attempting to strike, or any type of assault on a referee, umpire, linesman or sideline official” is a minimum 48-week suspension “in all codes and at all levels”.
It could also result in the offender’s team being “liable to disqualification, where appropriate”.
