Munster to investigate Ballinakill brawl

The Munster Branch of the IRFU is to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding referee Ger Desmond's decision to abandon last Saturday's Munster Development Championship match between Waterpark and Bohemians at Ballinakill.

The game was brought to a premature conclusion after 60 minutes following a mass brawl at a line-out. The sequence of events leading up to the ugly finale included the sending-off of Waterpark's New Zealand player-coach Graham Muir which sparked sporadic bouts of fisticuffs, culminating in the free-for-all involving both packs.

Munster Branch official John Coleman confirmed: "There will be a full investigation into the matter. We are awaiting the referee's report and once we receive that we will then move swiftly.

"There is no meeting scheduled at present but it is likely that both clubs will be invited to appear before the Branch once the referee's report has been discussed."

Eye-witness accounts suggest the match was not particularly `dirty' before the explosion of violence. There had been a few niggling moments which had occasioned a mild flurry of punches at one stage but referee Desmond quickly quelled the petulance.

The atmosphere changed dramatically following an incident in which Muir alleges he was bitten on the hand, which subsequently necessitated hospital treatment.

The New Zealand number eight was dismissed for retaliation after players from both sides exchanged blows. No sooner had Muir departed than a more serious fracas started at a line-out and Desmond decided he could no longer control the match and abandoned proceedings on 60 minutes.

The Cork official explained: "I had no option but to abandon the match. The behaviour of players on both sides could have led to serious injury. My match report will be sent to the Munster Board and they will make a decision on the outcome having read my report."

Bohemians honorary secretary, David Fitzgerald, said: "We haven't discussed the matter officially within the club. As far as we are concerned we will wait and see what the Branch decide. We have nothing to answer for."

The ramifications for both clubs could be serious if they are deemed guilty of bringing the game into disrepute. But first the Branch must determine whether the violence that occurred was exceptional or a situation that was in danger of getting out of hand.

Muir's fate, irrespective of the circumstances that surrounded his sending-off, is likely to include a suspension. For the record, Bohemians Michael Benson had just kicked a penalty to put his side 14-13 ahead when hostilities erupted.