GAA player goes on trial for allegedly punching opponent in face and damaging his teeth

A Wicklow GAA club player has gone on trial for allegedly punching an opponent in the face and damaging several of his teeth during a competitive league match five years ago.

Billy Cullen (39), a player with Baltinglass GAA club, pleaded not guilty at a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday to a charge of assault causing harm to Kevin Rogers, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Mr Cullen, of Lathaleere, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, is accused of punching Mr Rogers during a Division 1 league match between Baltinglass and Blessington at the grounds of Blessington GAA club on June 9th, 2019.

The court heard the defendant claims that the victim incurred his injuries when he accidentally came in contact with the head of one of his own players after a group of players gathered around the accused and Mr Rogers.

The alleged incident occurred during the second half of the match when Blessington were ahead in the game, which they ultimately won.

Mr Rogers described how he went to tackle Mr Cullen when his opponent had possession of the ball near the Blessington goal.

The midfielder said he shouldered the accused, who then feinted a punch at him.

Mr Rogers admitted reacting to that by sticking out his leg, which tripped the Baltinglass player.

The witness said that his opponent after getting up threw the ball in his face followed by a punch “straight into my mouth.”

“I grabbed my mouth as I knew something wasn’t right,” said Mr Rogers. “I knew bad damage was done.”

He recalled that his gum shield split at the front and he had blood running from his mouth straight away.

The witness said that after Mr Cullen had been given a red card by the referee, the accused, whom he knew from their clubs