Clare easily defeated Wexford in their hurling championship quarter-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday. It sets up Clare's first appearance at Croke Park since the 2013 All-Ireland final replay victory over Cork.
Following the weekend's win, a number of Clare supporters spilled onto the pitch to celebrate. That was despite a public announcement being made during the game that attendees should not step on the playing surface after the final whistle.
Pairc Ui Chaoimh stewards took a dim view of those who had not heeded the request. They were swiftly removed from the pitch as pictures from the Clare Champion, Sportsfile and others showed.
Clare supporters are 'led' from the field, having entered it to celebrate their sides All-Ireland quarter-final win over Wexford in Pairc Uí Chaoimh. Photos by John Kelly. pic.twitter.com/j8injx1Kva
— The Clare Champion (@ClareChampion) July 14, 2018
Speaking to Clare FM on Monday, two fans expressed their anger with the stewards' actions.
"I went on the field and I spotted a gap between two stewards and I made a b-line for the players to congratulate them. I was dragged off like you'd drag a dog," said Gerry McNamara, one of the pitch invaders.
"Yesterday, all the people went on the field in Thurles. After the Munster final, you could go on the field in Thurles. What's the difference in Páirc Ui Chaoimh?
"I was manhandled, my arm is black and blue."
James O'Halloran's 65-year-old father was also forcibly removed.
He went on there on Saturday to congratulate the players, he was ecstatic. He went over to John Conlon, he got as far as them. The three stewards approached him from behind, they grabbed him with some force on both his arms. He's quite bruised and quite shook up after it.
We're quite reasonable people. If someone had come up and said that to my father, I'm sure he would have come off the field immediately. He wasn't given that opportunity.
You can see it in the pictures, he was carried off like he was a criminal.
Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
