Cookstown: Two people stabbed at U-16 GAA game

The incident happened during a game between Cookstown Fr Rocks and Fintona Pearses

Two people, including an umpire, were stabbed at a youth Gaelic football game in Cookstown on Thursday evening.

Brian McAvoy from Ulster GAA said the umpire was taken to hospital following the incident at Paddy Cullen Park in the County Tyrone town.

A second man was treated at the scene, while it is believed the referee was also injured.

A 42-year-old man was arrested by police but has now been bailed.

The incident happened when Cookstown Fr Rocks under-16s were playing Fintona Pearses under-16s.

"I've been involved in GAA for over half a century and it's the first time I can recollect anything on this scale or this type of incident," Brian McAvoy told the BBC's Evening Extra programme.

"It's been a very scary experience for everyone," he added.

At the scene: Kelly Bonner, BBC News NI

An ambulance was called to the club just after 21:00 BST on Thursday

It's safe to say that what happened here last night has shocked the community here in Cookstown.

Locals are stopping to talk as they walk by.

One woman described last night's events to me as "shocking and not what happens at the Father Rocks club".

Cookstown SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone said: "young children witnessed these events last night and they'll need help to process what happened."

In a statement, Tyrone GAA said it was investigating the circumstances around the incident and was taking it "most seriously".

Cookstown Fr Rocks said its thoughts were with all of those affected.

In a statement on Facebook it added: "The committee will now work to ensure that children and young people who witnessed this disturbing and very serious incident have the support and assistance that they require in the coming days."

Footage of the aftermath of the incident has been shared widely on social media.

'Shocking incident'

Fintona Pearses GAA said that "all focus is on the welfare of the children and young people" who witnessed what happened.

"Our thoughts are with those impacted," said the club on its Facebook page.

Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O'Neill described it as a "shocking incident" and said her thoughts were with those who were injured and affected by what had happened.

"I commend the work that's now under way to assist and support the young people who where at the game," she added.

Cookstown Youth Football Club said that some of its players and and their parents were present when the incident happened.

Club chairman Andy Kelly said there was "no place in our society for this sort of behaviour and only by the grace of God this incident could have been a lot more serious".

"An under-16s game, no matter at what sport, should be a place of entertainment for all those there and not one of danger which was witnessed last night," he said.

"Quite a few of our own players and parents were there last night and as a club we will support them and Father Rocks in any way possible," he added.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it was called just after 21:00 BST.