Connacht Council to probe stormy scenes in Kiltoom

THE Connacht GAA Council is expected to launch an investigation following ugly scenes that marred St Brigid's provincial decider victory over Galway champions Corofin at Kiltoom last Sunday. The Roscommon kingpins won the game by a point (0-11 to 0-10), but following the match, Mayo referee Liam Devenney and his fellow officials had to be escorted off the pitch after being confronted by angry Corofin supporters. An investigation is now set to be launched into an alleged attack on the referee, after the Galway champions were left furious at the full-time whistle after being denied a seemingly legitimate first-half goal which was controversially ruled out under the 'square ball' rule. They also disputed several of the referee's other decisions. It has been alleged that one of Devanney's umpires was struck and left with a cut below his eye. The incident put a dampener on an otherwise great occasion for St Brigid's, whose Kiltoom venue was hosting its first ever Connacht Club SFC final. Athlone-based garda and Corofin captain Kieran Fitzgerald questioned the referee's performance afterwards, telling the assembled media that the controversially chalked-off goal looked legitimate, and that he felt Corofin weren't afforded "fair play" from the referee. The free count was also highlighted by a disappointed Fitzgerald, after St Brigid's were, according to most accounts, awarded 29 frees compared to Corofin's 16. St Brigid's clubman and former county goalkeeper Shane Curran became caught up in the unsavoury scenes at the final whistle, as he did his best to usher the officials away from angry supporters. Curran told The Star newspaper that the referee was "fairly in bother" after the final whistle, and that he tried to usher him away to a safe area. "No-one likes to see that. I tried to get him out as quickly as possible, get him to a safe area, get him quarantined," Curran was quoted as saying. Curran, who is involved with St Brigid's in a coaching capacity, but whose still available for selection, said the referee was "shook" after the incident. Meanwhile, Des Newton, as expected, was ratified as Roscommon's new senior football manager last Thursday night, in succession to Fergal O'Donnell. Newton, who played inter-county football for both Roscommon and Donegal, will have former All-Star corner back Enon Gavin, a Clann na nGael club-man, as one of his selectors, while another selector will be appointed in due course. Gavin has more recently managed both Clann na nGael and Westmeath club Castledaly. A brother of ex-midfielder John Newton, Des Newton will commute from Dublin, where he is based as a school principal, for training and matches. He has been involved with Kilmacud Crokes in recent years and served as a selector under manager Paddy Carr this year. He also has experience of working with development squads in Donegal where he was previously based. Meanwhile, former star forward Nigel Dineen has been confirmed as Roscommon's new U21 boss in succession to Jimmy Gacquin. His selectors will be ex-county team-mate Eddie Lohan, as well as South Roscommon pair Basil Mannion (St Brigid's) and Denis Gavin (Clann na nGael).