Last week I was asked where I thought the shock of the Irish Cup fifth round might occur.

Scanning the list of fixtures there were a few potential banana skins for Premiership sides. Top flight sides away to intermediate opposition, like Coleraine’s trip to Dundela, Glenavon’s visit to H&W Welders and Portadown heading to Carrick Rangers. The Ports emerged unscathed, but have still to see off Carrick in a replay tomorrow night.

In the end I thought that if any of the Premiership sides were going to succumb it may well be Newry City. A team that has been struggling for form for months against — albeit at home — Larne, who while they aren’t exactly blazing a trail in the Championship have ex-Newry boss Paul Millar in charge and he’d have had an upset in mind.

The game — or rather the events which overshadowed the game — were, however, more shocking than a shock.

Disgraceful, deplorable, despicable; few words are actually strong enough to describe the images of footballers taking part in one of the biggest days on the local calendar ending up assaulting each other on the pitch.

Only the final of the competition attracts more coverage than the fifth round of the Irish Cup, but this season’s decider will have to go some to match the attention that has focused on one particular match this past weekend.

Everything looked to be going along smoothly. Matt Hazley scored a fine 25-yard chip after 76 minutes to put Newry 2-1 up — and on the verge of progressing into round six.

Then the incidents that will dominate newspapers and television bulletins today followed shortly after as the beautiful game turned ugly.

Newry City full-back Darren King was involved in both incidents as two Larne players saw red. First captain Liam Hogan was sent off for what pictures who was an eye-gouging offence against King, who was then hit with a wild tackle by Alan Reid.

Seconds after referee Raymond Crangle brandished his red card for the second time all hell broke lose. Larne manager Paul Millar raced up the touchline to confront an linesman, Newry assistant Harry Fay chased after him to hold him back, but there was no stopping the rush from the dugouts as clashes began to occur all over the pitch.

Pictures clearly show Newry’s Cullen Feeney being attacked by two Larne players whilst on the ground. Fortunately he was able to walk away from the incident and we’re not reporting on a more serious injury than cuts and bruises.

There is, however, a real possibility of a police investigation taking place into the incident alongside that which the Irish FA must now undertake into arguably the worst scenes ever witnessed at a senior football venue in Northern Ireland.

Last night Feeney said: “It all happened so quickly that it’s a bit of a blur now and I don’t really have that much of a recollection of what happened to me after I went down.

“It wasn’t until friends showed me the pictures in the papers that I saw how serious it was.

“It’s the worst thing that I have ever been involved in during my football career. I’ve never seen anything like it before and I’m lucky I suppose that I wasn’t seriously hurt.”

Larne released an official statement last night, in which they condemned the incidents and they have pre-empted the Irish FA by launching their own investigation into the matter.

The statement read: “Larne Football Club today (Sunday) began an internal investigation into the events which caused the abandonment of Saturday's JJB Sports Irish Cup tie with Newry City. We wish to make it abundantly clear that we unequivocally condemn all violence at soccer matches, and make it clear that it has no place within the sport.

“The club intend to be in contact with our counterparts at Newry City at the earliest opportunity, to ensure the good relations between the two clubs have not been affected by yesterday's events.

“Once the full facts of the matter have been established by way of this investigation, any further moves taken by the club will be announced.”

Newry will release a statement of their own after consultations with the individuals involved as well as those who observed the disturbing scenes.

What the Irish FA must do it act tough. No piecemeal punishments or slapped wrists. Determine the guilty parties and come down on them hard. It is a must that the governing body are seen to condemn such incidents with actions rather than just words.

And in order to restore normality to the Irish Cup the IFA must take their action quickly and effectively.

Throwing both teams out is within the powers of the Challenge Cup committee and there cold be few complaints if that happens in a couple of weeks time.

It’s 13 years now since Glentoran and Linfield players brawled on the Windsor Park pitch during an ill-tempered Big Two clash. Justin McBride was suspended for the remainder of the season and there may be heavier punishments this time around.

Clubs are already fighting with one hand behind their back — excuse the analogy — to bring people through the turnstiles. Lisburn Distillery aren’t alone in facing major financial problems and there is little doubt that some potential customers will be put off going to matches.

The credibility of the game has taken yet another knock, but it can be restored by what follows on from Saturday.