An Armagh player was seen attempting to gouge the eyes of Damien Comer at Croke Park.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has condemned the full time melee that occurred in the All Ireland football quarter-final between Galway and Armagh on Sunday (26 June).
Two players were red carded before extra-time began due to a flare-up involving players and officials from both sides, with Damien Comer's face being raked in what looked like an attempted eye-gouging.
"I think it was a shocking scene," Martin said on Monday.
"It was a great game of football and awful that it was marred by what happened at the end of the game, and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) obviously will deal with its procedures and processes.
"There's no room for that in any sport, particularly when young people are watching their heroes on the football or hurling or soccer fields, they don't need to see this shocking behaviour.
"It was quite disturbing to see and quite concerning."
Catherine Martin, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media also commented on the fight, describing the scenes as "appalling".
"Our team players need to be mindful that they are role models," she said.
"There's no place for violence in sport and I would hope that whatever disciplinary procedures take place, it will send a clear signal that this sort of behaviour is not to be repeated."
Catherine Martin singled out the eye gouging incident, sharing her concern for young families who would have witnessed the brawl.
"I know of a five-year-old who was at that match yesterday, first time experience [at a football game].
"They should have come home remembering what amazing, edge of the seat stuff it was. Instead they see sports players acting like that, it's despicable."
Galway won what was a classic encounter on penalties after extra-time, and will face Derry in the All-Ireland semi-final on 9 July.
