Two men banned over GAA ref atta

However a county official confirmed to UTV that there was nothing to prevent the men from attending men's Gaelic games in Tyrone.

"Ladies and men's GAA are run separately in the county so the ban only applies to ladies games," he said.

"It is therefore up to the men's county board to take up the matter if they see fit."

The match referee Simon Brady and Tyrone Ladies GFA chairman Martin Conway were stretchered off after the end of the game after an alleged assault.

Tyrone Ladies GFA said a Carrickmore fan had allegedly assaulted the referee and a Carrickmore Ladies GFA official allegedly assaulted the Tyrone Ladies GFA chairman.

In a statement the organisation said it had instigated a "robust inquiry and full investigation" into the incidents.

"An individual, reportedly a Carrickmore supporter, was identified as the person who allegedly assaulted match referee Simon Brady," the statement said.

"The county board issued him with a lifetime ban from any involvement in or with Ladies Gaelic football, this includes attendance at ladies fixtures in the future. He was not a member of the Ladies GFA.

"A second individual, confirmed as part of the Carrickmore management team and a member of the Ladies GFA, was identified as the person who allegedly assaulted the Tyrone Ladies GFA chairman Martin Conway.

"Once again a life ban was imposed in accordance with the ladies football official guide. The Carrickmore club were also handed a substantial fine."

The Tyrone Ladies GFA said it commended those who carried out and assisted with the investigation and thanked both clubs for the manner in which they co-operated fully with the enquiry.

In a statement given to the meeting, Carrickmore condemned the incidents and wished the two injured parties a speedy recovery and return to their duties.

Original Article from RTE News 27th June 2011

A referee and a senior official were both knocked unconscious during violence which flared at the end of a ladies football match in Co Tyrone yesterday.

The Tyrone County Board of the GAA has launched an inquiry after a referee and a senior official were both knocked unconscious when violence flared at the end of a ladies football match.

Referee Simon Brady was attacked by a spectator at the end of the Tyrone Ladies Senior Football final between St Macartan's of Augher and Carrickmore.

The referee awarded a controversial free to St Macartan's in the final moments of what was then a draw game. St Macartan's scored and won the match by a point.

Mr Brady was punched as he checked his score card and was stretchered off the pitch and received hospital treatment for his injuries.

'I was checking my score card to make sure everything was in order. I got a tap on the shoulder from one of the managers wanting to shake my hand and that is the last thing I remember.

'It is absolutely shameful that this sort of thing has happened. I give up my time freely to officiate at these games. I am a volunteer in what is a pretty tough job and one that can feel very lonely at times.'

Another official, Tyrone ladies football chairman Martin Conway, was also taken from the field on a stretcher - he was headbutted when he tried to intervene.

The Tyrone County Board has condemned the assaults and has begun an investigation into the incidents and wished the victims a speedy recovery.

'Personally I'm fine ... I suffered a bit of concussion that evening and was a bit confused after the game as to why I was lying on the field.

'Some people probably thought I was confused during the course of the game. But that's part of refereeing. That's what you have to contend with.'

Two men banned over GAA ref attack 8th July 2011