The intervention of a uniformed garda led to the premature ending of a Limerick minor hurling league game between Newcastlewest and Kilmallock last weekend.

Just after Garda Tim Hickey arrived into Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock, to watch the closing minutes of the match, a free-for-all broke out in the Newcastlewest goal area.

Referee Willie O'Mahony had difficulty in separating the 20 or so players involved, and Garda Hickey intervened.

He told the referee that he had witnessed a serious assault on a player and it was his duty to question the parties involved.

The referee sent off three players, but Hickey advised the official that the best course of action was to abandon the match. With seven minutes remaining on the clock, the referee agreed to his request.

"It was the worst experience I had in all my years in refereeing," said O'Mahony, "and I was delighted that Garda Hickey decided to intervene. I fully support his action."