Referee knocked out

St Macartan's of Augher defeated Carrickmore by scoring a winning point in the final stages of the match in Beragh in a women's final before violence erupted.

The 43-year-old referee, Simon Brady, was attacked as his checked his scorecard, while Tyrone ladies football chairman Martin Conway also had to be stretchered off as he was hit while trying to intervene.

"I was checking my score card to make sure everything was in order. I got a tap on the shoulder from one of the managers wanting to shake my hand and that is the last thing I remember," Brady told the Irish News.

"Apparently I was hit. My understanding is that it was a spectator. I woke up maybe five minutes later. I was frightened. I didn't know what had happened. All I knew was I was lying on the ground and it was wet and cold.

"I wasn't even aware Martin Conway had been hit by another individual when he came to help me.

"It is absolutely shameful that this sort of thing has happened. I give up my time freely to officiate at these games. I am a volunteer in what is a pretty tough job and one that can feel very lonely at times. There's a lot of shock. I believe it is the most serious incident that has ever happened, at least in Tyrone football."

Father-of-two Mr Brady was treated at Erne Hospital in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, for bruising and swelling to his face.

The Tyrone Ladies Gaelic Football Association said they "roundly condemn the perpetrators of the assaults," and confirmed an investigation would take place.