By William O'Toole
GAA bosses have launched an investigation after a top inter-county referee was violently assaulted as he left the field of play on Saturday evening.
John Keenan was making his way through the crowd to the dressing room after he blew the final whistle in an IFC clash between Baltinglass and Stratford-Grangecon in Hollywood, Wicklow, when a Stratford supporter approached him and hit him with a headbutt.
Baltinglass had beaten Stratford-Grangecon by four points when Keenan was approached by the irate Stratford supporter.
Keenan, who was recently named on the referees panel for the upcoming All-Ireland Hurling Championship, was left bloodied after the incident.
It is understood that Wicklow County Board will now investigate the incident.