The bizarre shooting incident at a local Tipperary football has become a lot clearer over the past couple of hours, with further details and photos emerging online.
The accident occurred around 9pm last night at the home grounds of Rearcross FC in North Tipperary, where they were hosting Ballymackey FC in a North Tipperary & District League game.
One of the home side's players went down around the half-way line after being struck by a stray bullet, which Gardaí believe to have been shot by a hunter in the vicinity.
Tipperary Footballer Ok After Being Shot By Stray Bullet
Thankfully the player in question is ok and has been discharged from hospital. He was also able to make light of the situation on Snapchat, sending a photo of himself in a sling with the caption "When you go to take a shot from the halfway line but instead you get shot on the halfway line".
Photos of the aftermath also show the x-ray of the bullet lodged in his arm and the bullet sitting in a plastic box after being removed.
As reported by the Irish Independent, the Gardaí - who are treating the incident as "a reckless discharge of a firearm" - are appealing for information and no arrests have been made as of yet.
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They are tough footballers in Rearcross FC, Tipperary - took a bullet from a stray gun to stop this legend during a NTDL game on Saturday evening. Thankfully he is alive and well, but daft hunters shooting weapons wildly like that needs to be curtailed in rural Ireland. #football pic.twitter.com/mUnMe5blUL
— Stephen Gleeson (@StephenGleeson_) January 7, 2024
Stray bullet hits a player while kicking soccer down in Rearcross, Co Tipperary pic.twitter.com/8gTvOPkYNx
— OurGame.ie (@OurGameHQ) January 7, 2024
Literally went down like he was shot. Games gone.
— Slurmz Mackenzie (@SlurmzMackenzi1) January 7, 2024
The following statement was released by the club:
“All at Rearcross FC are totally shocked at the turn of events last night when our Junior ‘B’ team were playing a Division 2 League game under lights and a very serious incident occurred. We are glad to say that our player is well and was discharged from hospital earlier this morning, we wish him a speedy recovery and to let him know that the whole Club is thinking of him and his family at this time.
“We would like to thank all Club members who were here last night, Ballymackey FC, the match referee and the North Tipperary & District League for their help under such unforeseen circumstances. Our thanks to the paramedics who attended Rearcross FC Grounds last night and the Gardai who are pursuing their investigations. We have nothing further to say at this time."
Perhaps the best comment on the incident came from @SlurmzMackenzie1 when he wrote on Twitter, "Literally went down like he was shot. Games gone."
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