
GAA
Share
Published 20:42 16 Feb 2018 GMT
Updated 20:45 16 Feb 2018 GMT
Explore more on these topics:
Credit: TG4[/caption]
The incident was discussed on The GAA Hour with host Colm Parkinson and Conan Doherty in agreement that O'Connor had badly erred. Former Meath forward Cian Ward was a little more sympathetic.
Ward: "I think, in fairness to him, it was not a malicious thing. It was the usual thing of, 'This fella has come across my way; I'm going to give him a belt'. The fella he's hitting is tiny and he's just catching him high. I don't think he was deliberately trying to catch him high." Doherty: "I think you're being kind there Cian." Ward: "I don't think I am. He's 6-foot and the lads 5-foot-6 - what's he supposed to do, stoop down into a squat position to elbow him?!" Doherty: "The ball is out of play. Maybe don't elbow him." Ward: "Ach, it was a shoulder. Yer man knew what he was doing and he got what he deserved."The referee was certainly in no doubt, on the day, and O'Connor was ordered off. He did not stop to complain.
Parkinson was not the only person in the country that felt O'Connor was set for a long ban - a month or longer - but the GAA rule-book may save the Mayo forward.
O'Connor was sent off for a Category Three offence:
'To strike or to attempt to strike an opponent with arm, elbow, hand or knee.'
In the GAA's rules, the circumstances behind or force of the elbow do not come into it. An impulsive strike out, a stray elbow swung while trying to get free of a marker or a deliberate elbow all get the same ban - one match minimum.
The only thing that would increase the ban would be for 'a repeat infraction'.
(1) Minimum: A One Match Suspension in the same Code and at the same level applicable to the next game in the combination of the National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if the game occurs in the following year. (2) Minimum on Repeat Infraction: A Two Match Suspension in the same code and at the same level applicable to the next games in the combination of the National League/Inter-County Senior Championship, even if one or both games occur(s) in the following year.This is nothing against O'Connor, of course. It is more that the 'elbow' definition is very broad and, in some cases, far too lenient. The powers that be may yet take the referee's report and match footage into account when deciding O'Connor's fate. No decision has been made yet as the league, aside from postponed games from last weekend, are scheduled for this week.
Watch: Mad scenes as Monaghan star helps side to Ulster final with outrageous score
What a point! Monaghan are through to the Ulster final, largely thanks to an outrageous score from Jack McCarron. With the game nearing full-time and Derry up by a point, the Farney star stepped up at the touchline with the dreams of a county resting on his shoulders. From a tight angle, he nailed a […]
GAA
2 days ago
The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 138
Another big teaser! The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz is back, and this week 10 is the score to beat. We are covering all the usual stuff with championship GAA, Champions League, and Irish provinces in Europe, with a few extra bits and bobs! You will have to have followed the last week of sport very […]
GAA
3 days ago
GAA
Down manager reveals how RTÉ blunder helped them to shock win over Donegal
GAA