Tipperary women forced to flee GAA pitch in Canada after a pitch invasion by two bears

Two Clonmel women playing championship football in Canada were forced to leave the field of play because two bears arrived on the pitch.

Former Moyle Rovers players Bronagh McGrath and Jenny Everard were caught up in the drama of a pitch invasion by two bears as the match between their team Eire Og Vancouver and St Finnian’s was abandoned minutes from the final whistle.

The two players had come across some fearsome opponents in Tipperary with their Moyle Rovers club over the years but nothing would have prepared them for this experience.

“ I was surprised to see them on a GAA field. It was very cool to see them up close,they were just playing with one another,” said Jenny Everard.

Above -The moment the two bears arrived on the field at a GAA field outside Vancouver forcing a ladies football championship game to be abandoned.Two Moyle Rovers players - Bronagh McGrath and Jenny Everard were playing for Eire Og Vancouver at the time

The incident happened at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex outside Vancouver  and both teams are now awaiting a decision by the Canadian Gaelic Athletic Association on whether the senior ladies championship game will be replayed.

“It was a really tight game all of the way. Midway through the second half one of the players spotted the two black bears behind the pitch and we played on as normal. With three minutes to go we were five points up and the bears were getting closer. The referee tried to make some noises to try and make them go away but the bears were not budging. The referee  decided to abandon the game as the bears were looking lively by the goal and we all went off the field,” said Jenny.

“We have the win at the moment and hopefully we can keep it. The other team has put in an appeal, said Jenny.

A statement on the St Finnian’s GAA club said the game was a close contest but had to be abandoned after “two lively looking bears” arrived “who were looking for the long ball into the square.”