“It’s causing a lot of difficulty, this position in terms of contributing to a melee.”
On Saturday evening Tyrone kicked off their championship with a win over Fermanagh in the race for Ulster.
Despite a very competitive first half, the All-Ireland champion’s showed the gulf in class in the second half when Conor Meyler and Darren McCurry continued their fine form to ensure a comfortable lead.
Late in the game however, substitute Conor McKenna, was involved in an off the ball tussle, that resulted in his jersey being pulled off him completely.
Referee Joe McQuillan, appears to have deemed the Eglish man guilty of contributing to a melee,, a rule that has been under the spotlight frequently this season.
Tyrone boss, and Solicitor, Feargal Logan has an issue with the logistics of this rule, and has said that they will be appealing McKenna’s suspension.
“It’s fair to say I have been deeply involved in GAA disciplinary processes for a long number of years, and from virtually every angle of it,” he said.
“Let me say it’s causing a lot of difficulty, this position in terms of contributing to a melee.
“Joe McQuillan had a very difficult job out there, and did very well, but ultimately there are some times on a football field when a player isn’t contributing to a melee, and he’s simply looking to the safety of his own team-mate, or to the safety of others.”
“On this occasion we firmly believe that Conor was looking to the safety of one of his team-mates, and that’s simply why he moved towards the matters,” added Logan.
“I’m going to leave it for everybody else to watch the video and work it out for themselves, but at some stage there must be justification on a football field to begin to assist and see to the safety of others.
“Sometimes lines are crossed on football fields by players, and they regret them, and sometimes it’s not appropriate.
“But there are times when lines are crossed and people have to take action in the vicinity, and that’s where it’s at.
“We deeply respect the players and officials, we deeply respect Joe McQuillan, who has refereed and has a lot of experience, but it’s well nigh impossible to expect humans to spot all that’s going on when there are a number of people in together.”
