Eoin Doyle’s game on Sunday ended very early.
A dream start for Kildare swiftly started resembling a nightmare in Ballyshannon.
Four minutes into the Lillywhites’ Allianz football league clash against Donegal, they were three points up. Daniel Flynn’s early goal got the game off to an ideal start for the Leinster men
However, just 10 minutes later, Kildare were down to 14 men under very unusual circumstances. Eoin Doyle received his marching orders after being shown two yellow cards in quick succession. At least one of the bookings were because he wasn’t wearing a gum shield.
Local Kildare radio station KFM initially reported that the first yellow card was for not wearing the requisite mouth protection.
#AllianzLeagues NFL Div 1:@officialdonegal 0-2 @KildareGAA 1-1
Eoin Doyle sent off! 1st yellow for not wearing a gum shield. Incredible. 17 mins. #GAA #KildareGAA
— Kfm Sport (@KfmSport) February 25, 2018
Donegal’s official Twitter account saw it differently. They first reported that it was actually the second yellow card that was the punishment for not wearing a gum shield.
Eoin Doyle of Kildare is OFF after 2 yellow cards the second for not wearing a gum shield
— CLG Dhún na nGall (@officialdonegal) February 25, 2018
Either way, the decision has left most GAA fans scratching their heads.
Kildare’s main player giving second yellow for no gumshield I’ve heard it all now .
— Padraig Fogarty (@PadraigFogarty) February 25, 2018
Eoin Doyle sent off for not wearing a gum shield. If this is the future of the GAA sell up Croke Park to the IRFU and FAI and be done with #gaa
— Lilywhite fan (@KildareGaafans) February 25, 2018
Confirmed Eoin Doyle 2 yellow for no him shield
— Tommy Callaghan (@TommyCallaghan1) February 25, 2018
.@KildareGAA down to 14 men. The already-booked Eoin Doyle gets a second yellow card. Seemingly for not wearing a gum shield. @officialdonegal trail 1-1 to 0-2
— Chris McNulty (@ChrisMcNultyDgl) February 25, 2018
Eoin Doyle has received a second yellow card and is sent off for @KildareGAA. #donegalvkildare
— RTÉ Radio 1 (@RTERadio1) February 25, 2018
As for Daniel Flynn, no chance of him getting his marching orders…
Expect to hear more about this.