Spitting image poor reflection on game

Meath Co Committee are set to launch a full investigation into disgraceful scenes and spitting incidents that marred the end of Sunday evening"s first round SFC clash between defending champions Navan O"Mahonys and 2007 winners Seneschalstown. The spitting incidents occurred as O"Mahonys players returned to the tunnel area and were the victims of an alleged Seneschalstown supporter There was little to suggest during the game that such a melee would erupt, but when O"Mahonys Cormac Reilly and Seneschalstown"s Gary Conlon became involved in a bit of wrestling after referee Brendan Darby"s final whistle it prompted a major brawl. Close to 50 people including players, substitutes, mentors and stewards were involved with most trying to take a peace-keeping role before having to go on the defensive after shipping some heavy blows. Both managers, Sean Kelly (O"Mahonys) and Seneschalstown"s Damien Sheridan, endeavoured to nip the row in the bud, but they struggled to contain the warring factions and it needed some heavy-handed intervention from the pair before the situation started to defuse. While most of the confrontations were of the 'handbag" variety there were a few haymakers thrown that would have made Meath"s Olympic medal winner Derren Sutherland proud, but those involved cannot be proud of their actions. Even after the row on the field settled, some so-called 'supporters" gathered above the tunnel leading under the stand to barrack the O"Mahonys players as they left the field. Some O"Mahonys players reacted to the abuse and were spat upon. The tensions threatened to spill over in the stand with some spectators taking offence to the spitting incident and it needed the intervention of other stewards to prevent further escalation of an already volatile situation. They really were disgusting scenes that marred an entertaining game between the champions of the last two years. The clubs are close neighbours and all the players would know each other very well, but there is no history of animosity between the clubs. Seneschalstown manager Sheridan is a former Navan O"Mahonys player and won an SFC crown with the Brews Hill club in 1997. Co Committee chairman Barney Allen confirmed after the game that an investigation would take place. Maybe it was the early spring sunshine or just the excitement at the start of the championship, but Pairc Tailteann wasn"t the only venue for off-the-ball antics. Donaghmore / Ashbourne"s SFC game with Duleek / Bellewstown at Ratoath threatened to spill over along the sidelines in the second-half when one player was tackled late and several substitutes took exception to the infraction. Referee Donal Smyth, along with his linesman Paul Tobin, quickly took control of the situation and quelled any potential melee. One Donaghmore / Ashbourne official was dismissed from the sideline before the contest resumed without further incident.