"That was disgraceful and scandalous"

June 26, 2022

A fight breaks out between Armagh and Galway players. ©INPHO/Evan Treacy.

Pat Spillane has described the ugly events which overshadowed Galway's thrilling All-Ireland SFC quarter-final penalty shoot-out victory over Armagh as "disgraceful and scandalous".

After Rian O’Neill's brilliant long-range free for Armagh had sent the game to extra-time, players and backroom staff from both teams became embroiled in a huge brawl as they made their way to the dressing rooms under the Cusack Stand.

Armagh goalscorer Aidan Nugent and Galway captain Sean Kelly were both shown red cards by referee David Coldrick before the start of extra-time for their involvement in the flashpoint, while there was an alleged eye-gouging incident.

"We should be here praising a great game and instead, we’re looking at disgraceful scenes. A shame on all the players involved. This is terrible and it’s a shame on all the players involved," eight-time Kerry All-Ireland SFC winner Spillane said when speaking on The Sunday Game Live programme.

"We have so many rules and regulations here in Croke Park and you’ll send two teams running into the same spot straight after full-time. It’s crazy, and you have fellas who are not subs involved.

"Fellas will have to get red cards but the possible eye-gouging was done by someone who’s not on the official panel. That was disgraceful and scandalous."


Most Read Stories