Title pressure shows as Longwood players see red

THE Meath & District League disciplinary committee could be busier than usual next week after a top game was abandoned in Division 1 on Sunday. They will await the referee"s report into incidents at the game between Newtown Utd and Longwood which was abandoned in the second-half. 'The referee will submit his report and the matter will be discussed, probably at next week"s committee meeting, we will make a decision after that,' commented MDL secretary Gerry Gorman. The encounter between Longwood and Newtown Utd was abandoned after a row broke out shortly before the end of the game which was played at Newtown"s ground on Sunday morning. It is understood that at least two players from Longwood were red-carded following what was described as a ' bust up.' It is understood that there was just 10 minutes left in the game when the row erupted and when some sort of normality was restored referee Martin Reilly (Louth Branch) called off the game. The first of the Longwood players to be dismissed received a second yellow card and shortly afterwards a second player from the south Meath team saw red for allegedly striking an opponent. It was then that, as one observer commented, 'all hell broke loose' with players, officials and substitutes becoming embroiled in a fracas. 'The row went on for a few minutes, but most people who joined in wanted to break up the melee and try and stop other people from becoming involved,' said the observer. Newtown were 2-1 up when the game was called off and it remains to be seen if they will be allowed to claim the points. 'We would have preferred if the game was completed in the normal way. 'We will leave it up to the league to impose any disciplinary measures,' stated a Newtown Utd spokesperson. Longwood have enjoyed a good season and are still in the hunt for the MDL Div 2 title. If Longwood lose the points and have players suspended it could seriously undermine their quest for top spot. Their hopes have already been affected by the absence of top players such as Rory Maguire and Mickey Burke who have been on inter-county duties with the Meath football and hurling teams respectively while Brian Flanagan has been involved with the Kildare senior football panel. Newtown Utd are more concerned with putting further distance between themselves and the relegation zone and the suspension of any of their players following an inquiry by the MDL would do little to advance their cause. Also in Division 1, Alan Kirwan is to stay on as Navan Cosmos manager despite a verbal confrontation between himself and a player before his team"s 2-1 victory over Cavan Town on Sunday. It is believed that a player reacted after he was told he would not be selected for the game.