An investigation has been launched into the beating of an off-duty garda at a underage GAA football match in Sligo on September 2.

It is understood that Detective Garda Chris O’Neill was beaten unconscious after he came to the aid of a referee who was being verbally abused as he left the pitch.

Reports say that the Sligo A1 Minor Championship semi-final between Shamrock Gaels and Owenmore Gaels was won by Owenmore, but there was a dispute regarding the extra time played.

A total of eight minutes of extra time was played in the match, which Owenmore won by two points at Shamrock Gaels GAA pitch in Coola.

The referee was not injured, however he had to be escorted off the pitch due to the extent of the verbal backlash from his decision to play eight minutes of extra time.

It is reported the off-duty guard , Chris O’Neill, was punched while protecting the referee and fell to the ground where he was subsequently beaten unconscious.

The behaviour has been condemned by the GAA and the Sligo County board and the Competitions Control Committee (CCC) and An Garda Siochána are investigating the incident.

In a statement released by Owenmore Gaels GAA Club on their Facebook page, the club said: “Following the minor match in Coola on Friday night September 2nd the club would like to emphasise it does not condone the scenes that followed.

“We are carrying out our own investigation and are awaiting the findings of the CCC and referees report.”