Kerry footballer says his jaw was fractured by punch during game

A single punch to the face left a former Kerry footballer with a fractured jaw and four dislocated teeth during a challenge match on Valentia Island over a year ago, the Circuit Criminal Court heard in Tralee yesterday.

The match was abandoned after the incident about 15 minutes into the second half.

It was one of a number of flare- ups between two south Kerry sides, Young Irelanders of Valentia and Skellig Rangers of Portmagee, at Chapeltown GAA grounds on Valentia Island on August 21st, 2006, the court heard.

John O'Connor (21), Knightstown, Valentia, denies assault causing harm to Stephen O'Sullivan.

Mr O'Sullivan (27), Rathkiera, The Glen, Ballinskelligs, a former Kerry footballer who was playing with Skellig Rangers, said he had been walking away from an argument and pushing and shoving on the pitch when something hit him in the jaw - he did not know what or who - and he fell.

"My teeth were driven back into my mouth. I fell to the ground covered in blood."

Two days later, after being transferred between a number of hospitals, he had an operation at St James's Hospital in Dublin where plates were inserted into his fractured jaw.

Three witnesses, including two relatives of Mr O'Sullivan playing on the Skellig Rangers team, told the court they saw Mr O'Connor strike Mr O'Sullivan.

John O'Sullivan, defending, put it to Mr O'Sullivan that he had first punched Mr O'Connor who received a head injury as a result.

Mr O'Sullivan denied this.

The case continues today.

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times