A Gaelic footballer from Co Donegal has been given a three-month suspended sentence after attacking an opponent during a match almost six years ago.
Michael Friel, a teacher, of Keshends, Newtowncunningham, was charged with assault causing harm to Laurence McMullan during the game in Convoy on 18 August 2017.
Mr McMullan, who was playing for St Mary's against Naomh Colmcille, suffered a tear to his scrotum that necessitated eight stitches.
At Letterkenny District Court, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham sentenced Friel - who pleaded guilty - to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
In a victim impact statement, Mr McMullan said he considered retiring from the sport in the aftermath of the incident, which he said was a "very traumatic experience".
He told the court that it affected him physically and mentally.
"I am well used to the rough and tumble of a game. I received many a punch or late hit, but nothing like I experienced on August 18, 2017," he said.
While Mr McMullan returned to play in a championship semi-final as a substitute six weeks later, he said, he felt "a shadow" of himself.
"I was no help to my team-mates for fear of getting hurt again. For some time after, I felt like walking away due to a lack of protection for players. But playing club football is a part of who I am. With the support of my family, I decided to continue as player-manager."
Mr McMullan said the guilty verdict was a "huge weight" off his shoulders and said the matter should implore all players to "play within the rules and the spirit of the game".
"These incidents are becoming more prevalent and need to be dealt with as there are consequences."
Barrister for Friel, Peter Nolan, said his client did not intend to injure Mr McMullan.
"He followed the rules as far as we are concerned. He feels this was an accident and something that simply happened in the course of a game. It could as easily have happened to him."
Mr Nolan said his client is a teacher who comes from a good family and who has his whole life ahead of him.
"This will affect his promotional opportunities and I ask that the court be as lenient as possible," the barrister said.
Friel acknowledged causing the injury but stressed that the incident was unintentional.
While "certain conduct is admissible and consented to" and there is a "certain degree of assumed risk when partaking in contact sport", Judge Cunningham said the incident fell outside of what Mr McMullan had "explicitly consented to".
The judge, who reviewed video footage of the game, said she was satisfied the incident was not "within the rules or culture" of Gaelic football.
In passing sentence, she said the matter represented a "serious assault" which she placed on the upper end of the jurisdiction of the district court.
Judge Cunningham said she had carefully considered the victim impact statement of Mr McMullan and a probation report on Friel, which was said to be "very positive".
The mitigating factors, with Friel having had no previous convictions and the Probation Service deeming him a low risk of reoffending, were also taken into account.
Judge Cunningham issued a section 99 bond which means that if Friel appears in court again within 12 months he will be sent to prison for three months.
