Only Cillian O’Connor himself could tell you what he was thinking here.
Mayo lost their fifth straight match to Galway in Salthill, this afternoon, and the game completely ran away from them in the closing stages.
Stephen Rochford’s men were well beaten in their Allianz Football League encounter and resorted to some questionable tactics in the closing minutes.
Galway had Paul Conroy sent off before O’Connor lost the run of himself. With Eoghan Kerin tracking down the right-hand sideline, and the ball nowhere in sight, O’Connor levelled him with a high elbow charge to the side of the head.
It was a straight red for the Mayo captain and he surely could have no complaint.
Credit: TG4O’Connor could find himself banned for several weeks once the match footage is reviewed [full clip below]. As an experienced member of the Mayo panel, his actions did his teammates, coaches and fans no favours.
Hate to say it but if that was Diarmuid Connolly and not Cillian O'Connor, we wouldn't see him again for the year 🤷 #GAA #GalwayvMayo
— Barry O'Carroll (@BarryOCarroll) February 11, 2018
Cillian O'Connor, that's a disgrace.
— Maurice Brosnan (@m_brosnan) February 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/shauna_lally/status/962711963854917632
His younger brother, Diarmuid O’Connor, then left Mayo with only 13 men when he was sent off for a second bookable offence near the end.
Both sides are due to meet again in the Connacht SFC quarter final in the championship summer. That one will be hotly anticipated.
Scéal an chluiche! Bua do Ghaillimh, triúr curtha den pháirc. @Galway_GAA 1-13 @MayoGAA 0-11
Gaillimh maintain their perfect start to the #AllianzLeagues campaign. #GAABEO pic.twitter.com/pjn3gBjygs— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 11, 2018
In the meantime, Rochford will be hoping his captain will not be sidelined for too long after his rash challenge.
