The Ladies Football Association is to investigate reports of alleged 'heavy-handed' treatment by stewards towards players, supporters and a member of the media following last Sunday's All-Ireland senior final in Croke Park. It is alleged that following the presentation of the Brendan Martin Cup to the successful Cork team the cup was taken from the hands of one of the players as she posed for a photograph on the pitch. This led to the photographer - well-known Cork ladies football official Fr Liam Kelleher - being removed. He said he was treated "like a common criminal", while an RTE reporter was stopped from interviewing Cork players on the field. Former Cork captain Juliet Murphy, who was winning her fourth All-Ireland medal in-a-row, said the treatment of players on the field was "appalling". She witnessed the incident with the trophy, saying that a steward grabbed it from the player's hands. "It was absolutely appalling. I just could not believe it," she said. "The man-handling of Fr Liam was outrageous." Adding that she found stewards were "cranky" after last year's final, she stated: "I find it bizarre that the GAA should allow it to continue. "This time it was like they wanted to get us off the field so they could go home. It appears to me they have no idea what it means to players who make so many sacrifices to be able to celebrate winning. We were trying to mix with our families and parents, to share the moment with the people who mean most to us. "They are so cold. I'd say if they tried to treat our male counterparts the same way they treated us they would not get away with it." Fr Kelleher, who is the Cork PRO, was very critical of the decision not to allow fans - "75 per cent of them children" - on to the field after the game. "Their tactics did not work the previous week against the Red Hands (Tyrone fans), but red and white bedecked young lads and lassies from Cork were an easy target to keep at bay." He added: "Surely an organisation like the GAA should not allow such bad PR to damage its reputation? Surely Cumann Peil Gael na mBan deserve more respect as well," said Fr Kelleher. Tweet

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