Sports Minister Catherine Martin has said she hopes the outcome of the GAA’s disciplinary process over eye-gouging at Sunday's All-Ireland Senior Football quarter final sends a “clear signal” that it won’t happen again.
The GAA is to launch an investigation into the incident which occurred at the clash between Armagh and Galway. The Taoiseach has also called the violent scenes "disturbing".
He told the Irish Mirror: “I think it was shocking scenes. It was a great game of football...awful that it was marred by what transpired at the end of the game.
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“And I think the Gaelic Athletic Association obviously would deal with that and would have to deal with that through its procedures and processes.
“But there is no room for that in any sport and particularly when young people are watching their heroes on the football, hurling or soccer fields, they don't need to see this type of behaviour. And it's quite, quite disturbing to see and quite concerning.”
The brawl happened as the players headed back to the tunnel at the end of normal time, and lasted around a minute. It included players, subs, backroom staff and members of extended panels.
Galway player Damien Comer's eye was gouged during the encounter by a member of the extended Armagh panel.
Reacting to the incident, Sports Minister Catherine Martin said what happened was “despicable.”
She added: “I was shocked at those appalling scenes yesterday and as the Taoiseach said, what should have been remembered for one of you know, the match probably of the year, was edge-of-the-seat stuff.
“These are teams players need to be mindful that they are role models for our young and you know, violence there is no place for violence in sports.
“And I would hope that whatever disciplinary procedures take place that it will send a clear signal and that that sort of behaviour is not to be repeated.
“The eye-gouging incident is absolutely appalling stuff. It's not just about young children who grow up to participate in the sports but actually, it's a family event.
“I know a five-year-old that that was at that match yesterday, his first time experience they should have walked home remembering what an amazing, as I said edge of the seat stuff. “It's despicable.”
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