CARLOW GAA will investigate allegations that members of its senior hurling team verbally abused Down players at a weekend match.
The move follows allegations made by Down manager Ronan Sheehan that his players were subjected to insults of a sectarian nature on the pitch during the game at Ballycran on Saturday.
Down won the Allianz Hurling League Division 2A clash, but the victory celebrations were dampened when players told their manager afterwards they were called "prods, Brits and black b******s throughout the game.
Mr Sheehan posted a tweet afterwards in which he described the allegations as "extremely disappointing", adding: "There's no room in the GAA for that."
A spokesperson for Down GAA said it would begin an investigation into the claims by speaking with management and players.
In a statement to the Irish News, Carlow GAA chair Jim Bolger said his county organisation was "committed to upholding the principles of anti-sectarianism and anti-racism".
A rule introduced in 2014 means players face being sent-off and banned for two matches for using such language during a game. It is understood no players were sanctioned for abuse during Saturday's match.
"All related reports/allegations are investigated and action taken as appropriate," Mr Bolger said.
Meanwhile, Mr Sheehan told RTÉ that those using abuse on the pitch may only see it as "loose words" but said it can "impact on players given who they are and what some of their families endured to play our national games".
The manager said that had Down lost the game, he would not have publicly mentioned the allegations, "as people would say it was only sour grapes".
He added: "But when we won I thought it was important to highlight, as it's an insult to Gaels up here."
