Referee forced to call off Rebel Óg minor hurling game after altercation

Rebel Óg will await a referee’s report before deciding what action should be taken in the wake of a minor game which had to be abandoned on Wednesday night.

Ballinhassig welcomed Na Piarsaigh in a Rebel Óg Mid U18 Division 1 Hurling Championship game – the last of the six-team round-robin section. Going into the match, Ballinhassig were top of the table as they had won their four games to date but a Na Piarsaigh win would have left them and their hosts tied on eight points with Carrigaline.

The home team held a narrow lead in the first half when an altercation between a Na Piarsaigh player and an umpire led to referee Luke Knight abandoning the match.

In such instances, the report filed by the referee informs the next steps taken by the governing body and the Rebel Óg committee will determine any sanctions that follow.

“We have been made aware that there was an incident and we are awaiting the referee’s report, which we are expecting very shortly,” said Michael O’Mahony, chairperson of Rebel Óg.

The matter will then be dealt with under the disciplinary processes of the association. Obviously, our most immediate concern is the welfare of the individual involved.” 

Ballinhassig have declined to comment while Na Piarsaigh have been contacted for comment.

Meanwhile, in the Rebel Óg Mid Cork Division 2 Minor Hurling championship final at Cloughduv, also on Wednesday evening, a serious melee broke out involving players from Nemo Rangers and Grenagh. Mentors from both sides entered the field in an attempt to break up the row and clips of the incident have been circulating on social media.

The game resumed once order had been restored, with Grenagh winning 1-15 to 1-12.