A row over a child wearing a Manchester United jersey saw a man being hit in the face with a hurley, leaving him with injuries that required the insertion of two metal plates in his cheek writes Liam Heylin.

Yannick Wolfe, of 33 Annalee Grove, Mayfield, Cork, appeared for sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, having pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to Kyle Corcoran on September 20, 2014, at Annalee Grove.

He wore a white Liverpool FC tracksuit top for his court appearance.

Det Sgt Mike Hogan said Wolfe went to the home of his ex-partner and took exception to the fact his son was wearing a Man Utd jersey and got into a row with Mr Corcoran, who was outside the house at the time.

Defence barrister Peter O’Flynn sought an adjournment of sentencing for a probation report on Wolfe.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said: “Anyone stupid enough to get into a row about a Man Utd jersey does not deserve a probation report — maybe a psychiatric report.”

Det Sgt Hogan said Wolfe, 29, got into a row with Mr Corcoran. Wolfe then picked up a child’s hurley and struck Mr Corcoran in the neck and in the right side of his cheek.

The accused made full admissions in relation to the assault as soon as he was questioned by gardaí.

The victim impact statement revealed that Mr Corcoran had to have two metal plates inserted in his cheek and, in the course of continuing treatment, he will have to have four teeth removed.

Mr Corcoran said in his victim statement that he had given up hurling as a result of his injuries.

Judge Ó Donnabháin said he would adjourn sentencing of Wolfe until the October sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court to give him an opportunity to gather compensation.

This article first appeared in the Irish Examiner.