FOOTBALLER'S NOSE BROKEN AFTER SPECTATOR ATTACK
A young Mitchelstown footballer was left with a broken nose after a spectator attacked him during a game in Passage West last Saturday, writes Brian Moore.
The match had to be abandoned as the referee and other mentors tried without success to calm the situation on and off the pitch.
The U16 game between Passage West and Mitchelstown had became heated many times during the first half but early in the second period of the game a spectator, who unconfirmed reports from sources at the game claim was, in fact, the father of another player, attacked and struck the Mitchelstown footballer.
The young player was taken to the Victoria Hospital in Cork city where it was confirmed that his nose was broken. It is understood that the young man had to be sent to Cork University Hospital (CUH) to have his nose set because the swelling was so serious.
It was reported that several other players also suffered facial injuries as a result of the violence on the field. The referee abandoned the game with Mitchelstown winning on a scoreline of 2-7 to 3-3.
“It was a disgrace to see a grown man attack a young boy so viciously. There is no excuse, tempers may have been running high but such an act was beyond reason. It’s not good for the sport and it’s not a good example to show the young people who were playing for their teams,” one eyewitness told The Avondhu.
Paddy Ryan, PRO for North Cork GAA Board, who was at the game, said the referee was correct to abandon the match.
“This was a very dangerous situation, people could have been seriously injured or worse. The Passage manager also received a burst nose and the referee called off proceedings in the interest of safety,” he told The Avondhu.
Published:
Thursday 19th November 6:40pm
