Gardai have launched an investigation into an incident which left a young Wicklow referee in hospital last week.

Twenty-one-year Keith Peppard from Hollywood was allegedly punched in the face after issuing a red card to a player during a JFC 'B' game between Baltinglass and Donard-The Glen last Thursday week. He managed to finish the game, which Baltinglass won comfortably, but was taken to Naas General Hospital afterwards where he spent the night in A&E awaiting treatment.

He was discharged early on Friday having suffered only minor tissue damage.

Wicklow chairman Mick Hagan has condemned the attack on the young match official.

"We'll have to wait until the CCC make a decision on this, but it's a disgrace and we can't condone behaviour like this against a young and promising referee. This is a young referee who is only starting out in the game and certainly when the investigation is complete we will take action," he said in The Wicklow People. Tweet

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