The debate surrounding the 'black card' rule reared its ugly head again today after a combative All-Ireland semi-final between Mayo and Tipperary.
In the eighth minute, Tipp centre-back Robbie Kiely was sent off for a black card for a foul on Diarmuid O'Connor, and Kiely looked devastated as he left the field.
It was a decision that RTE commentator Tom Carr called "harsh", and unfair on the Carbery Rangers man - but not everyone agreed with him.
Robbie Kiely can have no complaints there. #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) August 21, 2016
Tom Carr is a fucking idiot! Robbie Kiely deliberately blocked his run so therefore it's a black card!
— Mark Mc Donnell (@MarkMcDonnell5) August 21, 2016
The black card rule has been fiercely debated in the media and on the terraces, and this incident is almost certain to provoke another wave of conversation surrounding a rule that even players on the pitch don't seem entirely sure about a lot of the time.
The confusion around the rule brought to mind this brilliant tweet from last year from the hilarious Rory's Stories.
A blatant Black card offence ?? #Justice #usainbolt #GAA pic.twitter.com/w6uwNZuAxw
— Rory's Stories (@RorysStories) August 27, 2015
But, at the end of the year, there is sure to be a serious dialogue opened again surrounding the ruling.
Black card rule costing players in big games again! Ridiculous ruling! #GAA #MayovTipp
— Barry Cahill (@barrycahilldub) August 21, 2016
Donal Vaughan from Mayo was black-carded in the final stages of the game, at which stage it was no longer to have an impact on the outcome-showing the "futility" of the ruling, according to Carr.
Tipp lost a player with a few minutes remaining in the form of defender Bill Maher, for an incident that occurred off the ball. Some drew a contrast between the treatment of Maher and the 'tight marking' of some of the Tipperary forwards that went on throughout the seventy minutes of action. Mayo would no doubt point out that it isn't uncommon to see some of their own star forwards 'carefully watched', as one might term it, during a game.
Bill Maher sending off a cod. Pity Coldrick wasn't so quick to pick up the constant fouling of Quinlivan and Sweeney. One rule for one 👎
— OLLIE MORAN (@olmorfs) August 21, 2016
And you want to tell me there's no place for television match official in GAA - Bill Maher sent off for a push.
— Daragh Ó Conchúir (@RebelDevil71) August 21, 2016
I've done worse in a camogie match and not a free awarded. Definitely not a red for Bill Maher! #tippvmayo
— Lauren Nic Giolla Phóil (@LaurenGuilfoyle) August 21, 2016
Let's hope that none of the officials spend their evening browsing Twitter. They'd be best to stick to the gardening until the social media furore dies down in about ten minutes.
