Runaway car at hurling match

Maybe it was the hot weather all week that's to blame for some unusual incidents at Meath GAA venues this weekend with a runaway car topping the charts at Dunderry on Friday evening.

Dunderry was the venue for the IHC encounter between Donaghmore / Ashbourne and Kildalkey at 7.30 last Friday.

The referee's report will show that Donaghmore/Ashbourne were convincing winners by 4-20 to 0-3, but there might also be an extra item included when the report is posted to Meath Co Board on Monday morning.

Referee Ciaran Flynn, son of Meath Co Board secretary Francis Flynn, had the unusual task of having to deal with a car that invaded the pitch.

Apparently, the car was parked on the grass bank at the side of the pitch and, for some strange reason that is as yet unclear, it rolled down the embankment and through the wire fence that surrounds the pitch.

This appears to have been a smart car as it hit the wire perfectly and passed between two of the fence posts with only the wing mirrors damaged.

The car rolled on to the pitch and eventually stopped - it is understood that the owner was a bit reluctant to admit that he owned such a smart car.

It was eventually removed when the referee issued a straight red card and the matter will now be investigated by the Co Board. 

The owner has to produce a valid NCT, tax and insurance and a licence by Tuesday night when the committee is scheduled to meet.

Also on Friday night last, a game was abandoned in Ratoath.

Conall Collier