GAA:The GAA has begun an investigation into the alleged headbutting at Parnell Park last Sunday. IAN O'RIORDANreports
THE GAA'S Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) has initiated an investigation into the alleged headbutting incident in the closing stages of last Sunday's football league match between Dublin and Monaghan. It follows Monaghan's complaint that one of their players, Thomas Freeman, was struck by a member of Dublin's backroom staff just as the game climaxed in a draw.
The CCCC met yesterday morning, primarily to address the issue of final positions in the hurling league, but also then addressed the complaint lodged by the Monaghan football management on Monday evening, following the alleged assault on Freeman late in Sunday's game.
"At our meeting this morning, we decided we would initiate an investigation, and that has now commenced," explained CCCC chairman Jimmy Dunne.
"We've opened correspondence, from both counties involved, in order to get further clarification on the incident, and we'll bring that back to our next meeting, which takes place next Tuesday.
"We'll decide then if individuals need to be called in, and what further action is necessary if we need to move it forward. Right now we are only dealing with an allegation and obviously have to be careful about what we say at this stage. So I can't say what the likely outcome will be, but at this stage anything is possible. We just won't know until we get further clarification from both counties involved."
It looks, therefore, as if this will be another drawn-out disciplinary process. Monaghan's complaint was lodged by county board chairman John Connolly, who was adamant Freeman was struck by a Dublin official, just as Paul Finlay scored the injury-time free that levelled the contest.
"What happened to Tommy is thuggery," said Connolly. "When it is 15 men against 15 men we take what comes but we cannot accept someone running onto the pitch."
Dublin county board secretary John Costello confirmed Connelly had also highlighted the incident to them after the match, and said they would be "co-operating fully with any investigation". The alleged headbutter has not, however, been named publicly.
There were also further allegations yesterday that the Monaghan players were subjected to verbal abuse from Dublin supporters, who freely invaded Parnell Park after the final whistle; the Monaghan midfielder Dick Clerkin actually voiced relief the result did not go their way.
"To be honest, if we had won that game in the dying seconds, I would have my concerns about the way things might have gone on the field," said Clerkin. "There were people pouring onto the field, and there was definitely verbal abuse thrown in.
"I think at the top level, pitches should be enclosed, or with proper stewarding, so as not to allow these situations. But definitely the way Parnell Park is stewarded at the moment that is allowed to happen. Don't be surprised if something happens in the next two years where we're talking about an even more serious incident."
Sunday's game in fact involved several unsightly incidents, one of which saw Dublin forward Mark Vaughan sent off for a clear facial strike on Monaghan's Damien Freeman early in the second half.
It was, however, confirmed yesterday that Vaughan was dismissed on a second yellow card and won't therefore face any further punishment.
Clerkin's comments not only confirmed the heated atmosphere of Sunday's game but also raised more serious questions about the stewarding of such games, particularly in venues such as Parnell Park, which has been traditionally open to easy pitch access.
"With everyone just pouring onto the pitch after, there's definitely a lack of security there, which isn't really evident in other grounds," explained Clerkin.
"That wouldn't happen in Clones as much, unless it was a big game. It just seems to be accepted in Parnell Park, that everyone floods on and gets autographs, or has their jibe or whatever.
"That happens from the stands, anyway, but when people are allowed to get into close, physical contact with you, you'd hope it wouldn't happen. But I've been in clubs games and seen it happen, and we've all heard of incidents with different supporters, and when emotions are high, things can take off in the heat of the moment."
Clerkin did not witness the incident with Freeman and only afterwards found out the alleged offender may have been a Dublin official. "Most of the incidents were there for everyone to see," he said. "There were pictures in the papers, and I'm not going to overstate them. These things happen.
"With regard to incidents after the game, I only found out about it last night, and that there was an official involved, or so it would seem. The powers that be will have to investigate that, and we'll see who was involved.
"The GAA needs to show a strong hand on this. It's a terrible incident to happen. Whatever about man on man, or player on player. Everyone knows that's part and parcel of the game. But when something like that happens you'd have to be worried. Hopefully it's an isolated incident."
Isolated incident or not, the CCCC intend to find out exactly who was involved. Meanwhile Mark Vaughan has kept his place in Dublin's team for Sunday's fifth round NFL clash against Armagh at Crossmaglen. Despite being sent off on a second yellow card last weekend, Vaughan is part of an unchanged Dublin team named last night by boss Paul Caffrey.
DUBLIN (SF v Armagh): S Cluxton; D Henry, R McConnell, D Murray; P Casey, B Cullen, C Moran; E Fennell, S Ryan; P Flynn, B Brogan, M Vaughan; C Keaney, K Bonner, J Sherlock.