After an enthralling 70 minutes of football, you don't want to be talking about unsavoury scenes that unfolded at the end of a game.
Unfortunately, there is no getting away from what happened after the end of normal time in Armagh-Galway.
It was fantastic contest right form the first whistle, featuring some moments of pure quality.
Unfortunately, there were a number of controversial moments towards the end. The first came when Greg McCabe was sent off for this dangerous hit with ten minutes to go, where the Armagh man could have little complaint about the decision.
Greg McCabe is sent off for this challenge in a vital moment in this game. Galway now on closing in on the semi-final.
Did you agree with the decision?
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Highlights on #sundaygame at 9.30pm. pic.twitter.com/exkz1DbyMh— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 26, 2022
It seemed as though McCabe had no intention of producing such a nasty hit, but such is the risk you take when you attempt to enter a collision with such ferocity.
While this tackle may have been less harshly punished in a bygone era, it is the type of dangerous incident that can cause huge damage. Every sport should ensure that the safety of the players is paramount, especially in relation to head injuries.
Regardless of intent, this was an incredibly dangerous challenge.
It looked as though the game was over heading into additional time, only for Armagh to launch a stunning late comeback to send the game to extra-time. This Rian O'Neill free ensured that the extras were required.
Rian O'Neill keeps Armagh hopes alive with an 79th minute equaliser to force extra-time against Galway. An incredible fightback.
Violent scenes then erupt as the full-time whistle goes, including an apparent eye gouge, as the teams head for the tunnel. pic.twitter.com/KO6qbjHdRC— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 26, 2022
While the McCabe red card was perhaps an unfortunate incident, but there was no excuse what unfolded after the game. Both set of players became involved in a melee after Armagh kicked a last minute equaliser, with things taking a sinister turn after an apparent eye-gouge on Galway's Damien Comer.
Whoever has their fingers in Damien Comer's eye shouldn't be allowed near a pitch for a long time. pic.twitter.com/dxgONwcXIf
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 26, 2022
Shockin pic.twitter.com/01SxGbuOmh
— Sean (@Simini80s) June 26, 2022
It seemed a member of the Armagh party was at the centre of the incident, although they did not look to be involved in the matchday panel.
Speaking on The Sunday Game, both Oisín McConville and Pat Spillane condemned the disgraceful scenes that unfolded.
"Disgusting. Scandalous. We can't hide behind this. We should be talking about a great game of football, and then they went and destroyed it."
The #sundaygame panel react to scenes of striking and apparent eye-gouging in the aftermath of the full-time whistle in Croke Park. pic.twitter.com/gRWROHanpv— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 26, 2022
McConville: These are scenes that we shouldn't hide behind regardless of what counties are involved. People talk about unsavoury, it's not, it's disgusting.
It's something that we don't want to see, it's as simple as that.
Spillane: Look at Damien Comer (getting eye-gouged). We should be here praising a great game but instead we're looking at this, shame on all the players involved. There was a gouging incident, this is terrible.
We have so many rules and regulations in Croke Park, and you send two teams running into the same spot for extra-time? It's crazy.
You have fellas who are not subs involved. Fellas will get red cards, but the possible eye-gouging was done by a fella who is not on the official panel.
It is disgraceful, scandalous. Shame on all involved.
We should be talking about a great game of football, we had a great game of football. I do be jealous of the hurling boys, every day they are praising and enthusiastic and I'd love to get that game.
We just had that game and then they went and destroyed it.
Galway's Sean Kelly and Armagh's Aidan Nugent would be sent off before the start of extra-time.
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