Referee Danny Harrington has spoken out after he felt he was 'vilified' following the recent incident involving former Dublin player Ciarán Archer.
Archer was playing for St Maurs against Scoil Uí Chonaill in a Dublin league game in May, when he bumped into referee Harrington, who subsequently sent off the former U20s Player of the Year.
In his match report, Harrington described the incident as 'asssault', which lead to 96 week ban being recommended by Dublin’s Competitions Control Committee (CCC).
However, footage emerged of the clash, and showing very minimal, and what looks like accidental contact, as Archer appears to follow the ball before bumping into Harrington.
In an exclusive interview with The Irish Independent, Harrington said that there is different footage, from the other side of the pitch, that gives a better view of the contact, and also says that it caused rib damage, forcing him to visit a VHI clinic and to take 10 days off work, while also being prescribed anti-inflammatory tablets.
Referee Danny Harrington Gives His Side Of Ciarán Archer Incident
15 January 2022; Ciarán Archer of Dublin during the O'Byrne Cup Group A match between Longford and Dublin at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in Longford. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
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Fans were not kind to Harrington once the first video was made public, and felt that he could have easily ruined a players' career over a 'nothing' incident.
However, Harrington has defended his actions and suggested that Archer's reaction to the red card proves that the contact was not accidental.
“On issuing the red card to the player, I explained to him the exact reason for my action," Harrington said.
At no stage did the player protest about my action [red card]. At no stage did he say that it was an accidental collision. At no stage did he say that I had altered my movement to cut across his running path. At no stage did he say that a team-mate or opponent forced him to change direction of his run, forcing him to collide with me.
After the final whistle the player approached me and apologised for the incident. I accepted this gesture by the player and accepted his apology unreservedly. Apologising like this is a sign of a man with good character and morals,” he contended.
Again, during the apology there was no mention of it being accidental, no change in my direction that may have contributed to it, no other player interference that caused his change of direction, resulting in his collision with me.
Former Dublin star Ciaran Archer has proposed 96-week ban dropped.
Former Under 20 Footballer of the Year Ciaran Archer has had a proposed 96-week suspension dropped thanks to video evidence after being reported for an alleged assault on a referee in a club match in early May. pic.twitter.com/FZpaQUKJkv— Score Beo (@Score_Beo) June 2, 2023
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