There was widespread shock after violent scenes erupted at the end of a secondary schools soccer match this week in Portlaoise.
The game, between Portlaoise CBS and Templeogue College, in the U-19 Dr Tony O’Neill Leinster Senior Cup was a thriller which ended with the Laois side winning in extra time.
However, the Templeogue players did not take the defeat well and it is alleged they began pushing and shoving some of the Portlaoise CBS players as they made their way off the field.
This escalated as the sides made their way to the changing rooms where it is alleged that a wheel brace was produced by one of the Templeogue supporters.
An eye-witness reported how the person wielded it in the direction of one of the Portlaoise CBS teachers and a parent. However, the person did not hit either of them.
LaoisToday understands that one of the Portlaoise CBS players also had his phone stolen from the dressing rooms during the game.
Gardaí are studying CCTV footage from Portlaoise Leisure Centre.
One witness, who contacted LaoisToday but wished to remain anonymous, said: “It was a very scary situation.
“The pupils of Portlaoise CBS and their teachers have to be commended for the way they handled the whole thing and did not react to what was a toxic event.”
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