NEWS:WHATEVER ABOUT the speed and gravity of the GAA's investigation into the mass brawl that marred last Sunday's All-Ireland junior club football semi-final in Portlaoise, the incidents have already triggered a war of words.

Having initially been somewhat more tight-lipped about the situation, Tyrone club Derrytresk – who defeated Kerry’s Dromid Pearses by six-points – issued a statement yesterday distancing themselves from certain accusations, and putting their faith in the investigation already under way by the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC).

“The Derrytresk club are delighted to have made it through to this year’s All-Ireland junior football championship club final. Our players thoroughly deserve to be there after all of the hard work that they put in over the last twelve months.

“It is disturbing to be on the receiving end of a number of quite serious allegations which have been aimed directly at our club since (Sunday) afternoon. We are disappointed that such allegations have been aired by GAA people through various media outlets over the last 24 hours.

“We believe that the referee and his officials were best placed to deal with all aspects of Sunday’s game. We remain confident that the GAA itself is best placed to provide the correct channels to deal with all matters which may or may not arise from this game. We therefore will be making no further comment on the matter . . . and will continue to prepare for the biggest day in our club history.”

Derrytresk are due to face Clonbur of Galway in the final on February 12th in Croke Park, a fixture that was confirmed by the GAA – and looks set to go ahead even if there are some suspensions coming down the line.

Ulster Council delegate Pat Darcy yesterday warned other counties to stop pointing the finger of blame at his native Tyrone.

The worst of the fighting, highlighted on amateur video footage released on Monday, broke out in front of the main stand, just before half-time, and involved players from both sides – and there was further fighting following the full-time whistle, this time with supporters from both teams also getting involved.

“We’ve had no more incidents in Tyrone and Ulster than any other province,” said Darcy.

“There’s a bit of blinkered thinking here. The Derrytresk club probably feel they’re being singled out as the instigators and I can see how they would feel about that.

“ It should be left to the disciplinary authorities to investigate and deal with. But there have been violent incidents on the field in all provinces in recent times.

“ It’s a problem for the GAA as a whole. It doesn’t just happen in Tyrone. It’s happened down South quite a lot.

“People need to look objectively at the whole GAA picture and come to the conclusion that this sort of brawling on a pitch is unacceptable and has to be stopped.

“That means using every power at the GAA’s disposal, suspending players and clubs. That’s the answer to the problem, not pointing at Tyrone or Derrytresk or Ulster.

“There were two teams out there and it takes two to brawl, two to tango. No matter how aggrieved one club may feel, that’s what they need to look at.”

The new Kerry County Board chairman, Patrick O’Sullivan, taking charge of his first county delegate meeting in Tralee on Monday night, made clear he would fully co-operate with the GAA’s investigation, and whatever information the gardaí might also be seeking.

“I am limited in what I can say, except to say as GAA legislator myself, what went on was unacceptable. I am hoping that I will be called to the inquiry that has now been launched so as I can make my views known along with the county secretary.

“We may be of assistance and could help clear up a few matters. It was disappointing to see what happened and incidents like what went on must be stamped out, regardless, for the good of the association.”

Mick Curley, the chairman of the National Referees’ Association, also called on the GAA to “act quickly” in dealing with any scenes of violence on the pitch

“To see these kind of scenes on a GAA pitch is very worrying. Something needs to be done about this fairly quickly. While this latest incident wasn’t directed at a referee, it is still very unsavoury and a cause for great concern,” he said.

There have also been comments from the Laois County Board, refuting any suggestion that O’Moore Park in Portlaoise was somehow ill-equipped to cope with the incidents – and that the normal level of stewarding was provided on the day.

A Garda statement also confirmed: “Gardaí are aware of the incident and are waiting to speak to a number of people.”