Yesterday's Allianz League tie between Mayo and Tyrone provided serval flashpoints. Lee Keegan's afternoon was prematurely ended after a thunderous Padraig McNulty hit that saw the Tyrone midfielder sent off while Hugh Pat Mc Geary was also taken off after a similarly big hit by Colm Boyle. Boyle was also sent off for two bookable offences.
However, it was a separate matter that had viewers of last night's Allianz League Sunday programme bewildered. Just prior to half-time, Andy Moran was given a black card after remonstrating with the referee. It appeared as if Moran made contact with Maurice Deegan in the process of doing so.
Speaking on Sunday night's programme, Pat Spillane felt a black card was the correct decision.
Maurice Deegan didn't really know what he was doing in this instance. He penalises Mayo, Andy Moran behaves aggressively towards the official. If you behave aggressively towards the official, it is a black card. So black card to Andy Moran, correct.
As many viewers were keen to point out, this seemed in direct contrast with Spillane's comments on the Diarmuid Connolly saga last year.
In case you missed the panel discussion on the Dairmuid Connolly incident from the weekend, you can watch it here. #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/HROyQm8Bny
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 5, 2017
Bottom line it is rule five minor physical interference it carries a penalty of twelve weeks.
Pat must have forgotten all the rules he’d learned off so well last summer 🤷🏼♂️ @TheSundayGame
— Tomás Quinn (@mossyquinn) March 18, 2018
pat Spillane forgot his speech from last year. double speak and baised. moran shouldnt be banned no more than connolly last year
— Vinnie Murphy QFA (@Vinniedub14) March 18, 2018
Pat Spillane not so passionate when it comes to Andy Moran about the repercussions of contact with an official... if theres any consistency at all surely moran will acquire a ban for that! #AllianzLeagueSunday #TheSundayGame
— Aoife Carey (@Aoife__Carey) March 18, 2018
Moran did not complain at his booking and immediately shook Maurice Deegan's hand before leaving the field.
Spillane did reference his comments on Connolly later in the show, when he took a similarly sympathetic view of Jason Sherlock's involvement in a sideline melee during the Galway vs Dublin draw. After the ball went out of play, Sherlock shouldered Galway's Barry McHugh in the back.
Spillane joked about last season's comments while again claiming no further punishment was necessary.
As you know Michael I don't usually comment on any incidents on the sideline involving Dublin officials or players. Last time I did comment I got in a lot of trouble but I will say this, I think there was nothing in it. I think Jason was trying to stop a row, he was the peacekeeper.
Pat Spillane described Jason Sherlock as "the peacekeeper" for that in from behind shoulder into a Galway player's back today on the sideline. Says he was "just trying to stop a row". That's an interesting view on it.
— Paul Brennan (@Brennan_PB) March 18, 2018
You can watch last night's full programme here.
