Gardaí in Clare are investigating an alleged assault of a referee during an underage football game on Monday night.

Video footage of the shocking incident, which took place during the U15 match between Lissycasey and Kilrush-Kilimer, has been widely viewed and shared online. The match official sustained injuries, while a child was also injured following a separate incident.  

Clare GAA chairman Kieran Keating has condemned the incidents and has promised a thorough investigation into both.

He said in a statement: "We have a great cohort of referees in both codes in our county and over the past number of years we have driven the message of 'Respect for the Referee', with the aim of retaining and recruiting the increasing number of referees we need for our growing schedule of games.

"Thus, it is a bitter step backwards when any mentor, player, parent or supporter commits any infraction upon a referee, and particularly a physical assault of the nature reported upon in this case.

"We have had many years without any such incident and it is very disheartening to all of us who love our games that this would happen at an underage game, or any game, in Clare in 2026."

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