We've only made it 24 days into January but already there's a black card controversy that could see Cork school Coláiste Chríost Rí appeal the result of their Muster colleges quarter-final defeat to Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne of Kerry.
Corca Dhuibne won the match after extra time but referee Kevin Walsh has found himself in hot water after he failed to send off the Kerry side's captain Barra Ó Súilleabháin when he received a yellow and black card.
The new rule states that should a player be shown both cards then that warrants a red but Walsh instead allowed a substitute to replace Ó Súilleabháin.
As reported in today's Examiner, one of the Críost Rí selectors called the situation a farce, while manager Adain Moynihan said:
'I went on to the field to try and address the issue. I was dismissed quite abruptly by the referee. I was asked to leave the field and if I didn’t, I would be put off.The linesman on our side was Eddie Walsh who is from Kerry and part of Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s Kerry backroom team. The other linesman was also from Kerry, Pat Sheehy.
'It was a bit of an ambush position to be putting us in having those officials. The new rules are laid out as plain as day on the GAA website.'
The referee's report is expected tonight according to Munster colleges officer John Brennan, who said 'If Coláiste Chríost Rí decide to put in an objection, there will be a hearing of the Munster Post Primary CCC committee.'
I suppose mishaps are to be expected during the teething process but that's of little consolation to the Cork team.
