Game abandoned - ambulance called
Tonight's thrilling SHC encounter in Ratoath between Trim and Dunboyne was abandoned two minutes into injury-time after a player sustained an injury and was subsequently brought to hospital.
The incident spoiled what was a gripping encounter that Trim were on the verge of winning by 0-16 to 0-13 in a clash that pitted two former Meath All-Ireland SHC B-winning colleagues in opposition 20 years (this weekend) after they won the title.
Trim manager John Andrews and Dunboyne manager Johnny Gorry helped Meath to that historic success against London at Ruislip in July 1993.
And tonight at Ratoath both managers watched from the sideline as a great game unfolded with only the occasional unsavoury incident, but nothing major until the end when referee Conor Ferguson abandoned the game.
The lead up to what turned into a melee arose when Dunboyne's Niall Hackett went for a goal from a 20-metre free that could have drawn the sides level deep into added time.
The sliotar was blocked and what developed subsequently involved many players as the incident moved sideways from the Trim square towards the sideline at the clubhouse end.
Dunboyne player Gary Watters sustained an injury and was removed from the pitch by an ambulance that arrived very promptly from Dunshaughlin and brought the striken player to Blanchardstown hospital.
The referee confirmed to the Meath Chronicle that he 'had no choice other than to abandon the match due to the injury.'
The matter will now be dealt with by Meath Co Board when the report is received.
It appeared that there was no disciplinary action taken by the referee arising out of the incident - he consulted his umpires (neutral) and that may also be mentioned in his report.
At this stage it looks likely that the game will be re-fixed, but that is not, as yet, confirmed.
Trim may claim that as they were ahead by three points deep into added time that they should be awarded the game but it will be up to the Co Board to deal with the matter now.
Conall Collier