Wexford GAA referee hospitalised with horrific injuries following ‘freak’ on-pitch incident

Damian Lynch of the Buffers Alley GAA Club was officiating at an U14 match at Hollymount, the home of Shelmaliers GAA Club, when he was struck full-on in the face with a sliotar.

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The game was immediately called to a halt and mentors and spectators rushed to the referee’s assistance. An ambulance was quickly called to the scene and it emerged that Mr Lynch had suffered several broken bones in his face and was suffering from impaired vision.

Things would take a more sinister turn as concerns mounted that the referee had a suspected bleed on his brain.

Chairman of the Wexford GAA referees committee Seamus Whelan said it was quite a serious incident, but he’s hopeful his colleague will make a full recovery.

"I’ve just been talking to him and he’s still in Wexford General Hospital,” Mr Whelan said on Wednesday evening. “He’s due to be transferred to St James’ Hospital in Dublin because they’re concerned that he might have a small bleed on his brain.”

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Mr Whelan described it as a “complete freak occurrence".

"I’ve never heard of anything like it in all my time refereeing,” he said.

“The GAA community has been very supportive and are wishing Damian all the best and the thoughts of the refereeing community in the county are with him in particular.”