A club game in Leitrim was halted on Saturday evening by the match referee after the start of the second-half saw one team score an uncontested goal straight from the throw-in.
The match in question was the Masonite Division 2 fixture between Allen Gaels and Ballinaglera at Shane McGettigan Memorial Park in Drumshanbo.
The Leitrim Observer reports that Allen Gaels, who led Glera by 1-6 to 1-4 at half-time were the sole team on the pitch when match official Brendan Healy threw the ball in for the start of the second-half.
Healy sounded his whistle several times before shouting, on at least two occasions, that he would start the second half without Ballinaglera if they did not come out onto the field immediately.
The paper reports that a Ballinaglera club official ran to the team dressing room to inform Glera of what was happening.
However, when there was still no sign of the players coming out, the referee threw the ball in and Allen Gaels ran down the field unopposed to score the goal as the first Ballinaglera players appeared on the ramp down to the pitch.
Video footage (below) also appears to show a Ballinaglera spectator on the ptich making a vain attempt to prevent Allen Gaels scoring.
Incredible scenes in Leitrim Division Two League last night. Referee starts second half without a Ballinaglera player on field. Allen Gaels score a goal, only after overcoming efforts of Ballinaglera supporter in jeans. Match abandoned due to protests straight afterwards pic.twitter.com/tfVluFAfjx
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) July 2, 2023
This prompted angry exchanges from the Glera players and management who claimed the full 15 minutes for the half-time interval had not yet expired.
As the level of confrontation grew between both teams, the referee abandoned the game.
Leitrim county board officials will now be asked to adjudicate on the matter.
