A man was arrested and charged by Gardaí after yesterday’s Leinster club SHC quarter-final between Ballyhale Shamrocks and Kilcormac/Killoughey at UPMC Nowlan Park.

Ballyhale’s 0-25 to 1-18 win was marred by ugly scenes after the final whistle when a spectator wearing a K/K jersey joined a melee and appeared to throw a punch towards Ballyhale and Kilkenny sharpshooter Adrian Mullen. The incident was captured by the TG4 cameras and could result in a lifelong ban for the spectator, who is well-known in Offaly GAA circles.

Gardaí confirmed afterwards that a man in his forties was arrested in relation to a ‘public order incident’.

Ballyhale manager Henry Shefflin and his Kilcormac/Killoughey counterpart Declan Laffan both condemned the late fracas which overshadowed an otherwise sporting contest.

"I'm delighted with the second half performance, but not very happy with the unsavoury scenes we saw at the end, unfortunately,” Shefflin told RTÉ.

"That's very disappointing that a club like Ballyhale were involved in that. I'm sure Kilcormac would feel the exact same way. No place for it in the game and I'm just very disappointed with that."

K/K boss Laffan added: "I know the tackle obviously instigated it, but probably a lot of frustration, and somebody came in out of the crowd and nobody wants to see that.

"Whatever happens on the field, whether the players are going at it or whatever, leave them at it and it'll play itself out. Unfortunately, we can't control everybody.”

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