Donegal GAA club Red Hugh's has issued a statement refuting media reports that a referee had to be kept in his dressing room for 20 minutes for his own safety after last weekend's U14 Division 3 final in Mountcharles.

This week's Donegal Democrat carried a front page story in which it alleged that the match official had been confronted by angry Red Hugh's supporters after the final against Naomh / Pettigo.

But Red Hugh's claims the report was 'misleading' and and that the referee made no "mention whatever of being 'locked' in his dressing room or being in fear of his safety" in his report. The Killygordon club also points out that the same referee was fit to take charge of a minor match the following morning.

The statement reads: "Red Hugh’s GAA club wish to express our sincere disappointment with the reports in the Donegal Democrat (newspaper & online), followed by radio broadcast on Highland radio re. U14 county final on Friday, September 7th. In both reports allegations of the utmost gravity were made against some of our members ...These reports has subsequently been followed by national reporting.

"In the interest of fairness and accuracy, we should have been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations. We have since received a copy of the referee’s report. He makes no mention whatsoever of being ‘locked’ in his dressing room or being in fear of his safety. We have been in contact with St. Nauls and concur there to be misleading inaccuracies...

"Red Hugh’s GAA wholly and firmly condemn any violence and abuse, be this verbal or physical, against officials, managers, fellow players, supporters and so take very seriously the allegations made.

"The club has had a longstanding, and positive, relationship with the referee in question, a fact he refers to at the end of his report. Indeed, the same referee officiated at a Minor match in Donegal town the morning after the U14 final in Mountcharles.

"The exact nature of  allegations made in the report call into question the reputation of the club, the players, managers and supporters of the club, the damage of which is irreparable. Finally Red Hugh’s will fully cooperate in an investigation, if any, by the Donegal County Board."

 

Red Hugh’s GAA club wish to express our sincere disappointment with the reports in the Donegal Democrat (newspaper & online), followed by radio broadcast on Highland radio re. U14 county final on Friday,... https://t.co/f11vVKwJx5

— Red Hughs (@redhughs) September 14, 2018

Tweet

Most Read Stories