POLICE HAVE confirmed they are investigating an alleged assault following a ladies' Gaelic football match in Co Tyrone at the weekend.
Two people were left unconscious after what the Tyrone ladies' county board called "unsavoury scenes" following a senior ladies' county final in Beragh near Omagh.
Simon Brady, the game's 43-year-old referee, was knocked unconscious after he awarded a controversial free in the dying seconds of the closely contested game, a free that was converted by St Macartan's of Augher to defeat Carrickmore on Friday night.
He was treated afterwards at the Erne hospital in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh for facial injuries.
Martin Conway, the Tyrone ladies' football chairman, was also knocked out amid violent scenes as he went to help the referee.
The PSNI said last night it was investigating a single complaint following the game but would not comment further.
According to Tyrone GAA: "There were unsavoury scenes at the end of the game and the ladies' county board have launched a full investigation."
"I was checking my score card to make sure everything was in order," said the referee. "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." He said he had no idea who had attacked him.
An Irish News reporter witnessed the scenes following the scoring of the winning point by St Macartan's.
"They scored a point and went on to win the game. The ref blew his whistle about 30 seconds later. Spectators came on to the pitch and then a normal match descended into pretty vicious scenes."
Mr Brady told RTÉ yesterday his injuries were not serious. "Personally I'm fine," he said. "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."
The Tyrone Ladies' Gaelic Football Association confirmed it was investigating video evidence. "The county board roundly condemn the perpetrators of the assaults," it said.