Enda McGinley says Hugh McFadden should have been shown a red card during Donegal's victory over Clare in Group 4 of the All-Ireland SFC on Saturday.
10 minutes into the second half, with Clare leading 0-6 to 0-5, McFadden levelled Cian O'Dea with a hit to the wing-back's head. He was shown a yellow card by referee James Molloy. Donegal went on to win the game 0-14 to 0-9.
"Hugh McFadden went on to have a massive influence in this game," McGinley, a three-time All-Ireland winner with Tyrone, told RTÉ's The Saturday Game highlights show.
20 May 2023; Donegal manager Aidan O'Rourke speaks to his team after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1 match between Clare and Donegal at Cusack Park in Ennis, Clare. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
"That's a savage hit. My rule of thumb. I use rugby as a good guideline in terms of their approach to head injuries and trying to prevent head injuries.
"We were talking earlier about the inconsistencies. That has to be a red card. In real time, it can be tough for a referee to call.
"I would love referees to have the power to sit down and watch a game afterwards, and write the report having rewatched the game. If they then want to revisit that and say, 'Actually, look, I said that was a yellow, but it's been cited now as a red card...'
"There's plenty of talk about concussion but to me, we still haven't got to where rugby is where the onus of responsibility is on the player, and if you happen to make contact with the player's head, there's no excuse, no mitigation."
20 May 2023; Clare manager Colm Collins, right, shakes hands with Donegal manager Aidan O'Rourke after the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1 match between Clare and Donegal at Cusack Park in Ennis, Clare. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
In Galway's victory over Tyrone, Frank Burns was sent off for a hit on Jack Glynn.
"I just don't think there was any need for the hit," said McGinley.
"He could have stood him up. The man was getting the ball blindsided. It was a bad hit. He caught Jack Glynn to the head. I don't think there was malice in it but it wasn't the most intelligent of moves either by Frank Burns, and it drastically changed the game."
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