Derry board to probe alleged assault on ref

THE Derry county board’s competitions control committee is expected to launch an investigation into the disturbing scenes that marred the end of the weekend senior football championship match between Greenlough and Ballinascreen in Dungiven.

Referee Damien Harkin and one of his umpires were allegedly assaulted when the game finished.

Ballinascreen won the game by one point (0-13 to 1-9) but it is believed that some Greenlough supporters were not happy with the way the officials handled it.

The officials appeared to be surrounded by disgruntled Greenlough players and supporters after the final whistle and now Derry administrators are expected to probe the matter.

A Derry spokesman confirmed the county board would await the referee’s report before making any further comment on Sunday’s incident.

“The Derry GAA position in relation to violence is clear,” said a Derry statement.

“We have been made aware of an alleged incident and we await the match referee’s report before making any further comment.”

It comes just a week after violence flared after the Tyrone intermediate football championship match between Stewartstown and Strabane. The Tyrone competitions control committee has already carried out its own investigation into this matter and is awaiting contact from both teams following the imposition of sanctions.

While Derry administrators are pleased with attendances at championship matches to date, they are anxious that there should be no more unsavoury incidents.