There were some bizarre scenes in a Division 2 Gaelic football game in Leitrim over the weekend, with the GAA fixture being abandoned in controversial circumstances.
The game featured at Shane McGettigan Park featured Allen Gaels and Ballinaglera, with Allen Gaels leading their neighbours 1-6 to 1-4 at halftime.
However, the start of the second half featured one of the strangest goals you are ever likely to see.
Leitrim GAA match abandoned in bizarre circumstances
According to the Leitrim Observer, referee Brendan Healy restarted the game despite no players from Ballinaglera being on the field of play. That resulted in Allen Gaels moving the ball up the pitch from the throw-in to score a goal, with their only resistance coming via a spectator who ran onto the pitch in a pair of jeans in an attempt to stop the strike.
Mad scenes in Leitrim last night between Allen Gales and Ballinaglera. pic.twitter.com/K3LtpPDNnp
— OurGame.ie (@OurGameHQ) July 2, 2023
It seems the incident came down to an issue with time keeping by Ballinaglera.
After Allen Gaels made their way onto the pitch to start the second half, the referee sounded the whistle on a number of occasions, before then shouting in at the team on two occasions in an attempt to get them to return to the field of play.
They said they were about to leave the dressing, but after they failed to do so a few moments later, the official restarted the game despite a total of 15 players being on the pitch.
Ballinaglera made their way onto the field as the goal went on and protested furiously with the decision to restart the game. They claimed that the allocated 15 minute break for the interval had not been given by the official, although he opted to allow the goal to stand in any case.
This eventually led to a confrontation between the GAA teams, with the referee opting to abandon the game as the protests continued.
The Leitrim Observer say the Leitrim County Board are awaiting the report of the referee before deciding what steps to take next.
You are unlikely to see another incident similar to this one in a GAA game at any point in the near future.
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