LIMERICK GAA CHIEFS will meet tonight to discuss the events that marred yesterday’s county senior football final in the Gaelic Grounds when a club player was involved in an altercation with an angry fan who encroached onto the pitch.
The incident took place towards the end of the game between Newcastlewest and Dromcollogher-Broadford when Newcastlewest player James Kelly was confronted by a spectator who came onto the pitch from the North Stand.
Kelly had just sent-off after being shown a second yellow card by referee Richard Moloney from Bruff when the altercation occurred and he appeared to be struck by the supporter.
The play continued while the incident occurred with Dromcollogher-Broadford taking a quick free that had been awarded after Kelly was fouled and they set in motion a move that culminated with their attacker Micheál Reidy firing over the point that ensured the teams were tied at the final whistle.
The incident is set to come up for discussion at a previously scheduled CCC meeting of the Limerick county board that will take place tonight in the Gaelic Grounds. Moloney has been asked to issue his report of the game in time for the meeting.
The match ended in a draw at 2-7 to 0-13 with Kelly having had a major impact on the game as he fired 2-2 for Newcastlewest. A younger brother of established Limerick senior footballer Stephen Kelly, James has represented his county and started in their provincial senior semi-final loss to Kerry last year.
The replay of yesterday’s game will take place next Friday night in the Gaelic Grounds. It had been scheduled to take place on Saturday night but Newcastlewest wing-forward Shay Lyons is getting married next Saturday and the match was postponed as a result.
Newcastlewest will be chasing their first title at this level in 20 years while Drom-Broadford were victorious in the deciders in 2008 and 2009.
