Dublin manager Jim Gavin is not happy about the allegations made against James McCarthy against Donegal.
The Dubs’ 1-10 to 0-7 win over Donegal on Saturday night in Croke Park wasn’t without its controversy.
Things kicked off during the second-half when both McCarthy and Donegal captain Michael Murphy were sent off for a second yellow card. McCarthy’s incident with Martin McElhinney was the major talking point of the game, when the Dubliner’s thumb made contact with McElhinney’s eye as they squared-up to each other.
The still images and slowed down footage make the incident appear pretty bad, but no Donegal players drew the attention of the referee to the incident at the time.
.@SenanConnell & @AaronKernan don't believe James McCarthy attempted an eye-gouge tonight. #DUBvDON #AllianzLeagues https://t.co/Z8jKDYvS9R
— eir Sport (@eirSport) March 26, 2016
Speaking with Newstalk on Saturday night, Gavin felt that the slowed down footage made the incident appear far worse than it actually was. He argued that there was no maliciousness involved whatsoever.
“I think that’s a very strong allegation you’re making there to me, particularly since I haven’t seen the tape. To be suggesting there was something malicious, I don’t think that’s very fair.”
“There are lots of incidents in the game, if you slow them down to the tenth of a second playback, things won’t look as pretty as they would in real time.”
