Didn’t seem to be a red card offence.
It didn’t take long for controversy and drama to take over in the All-Ireland club semi-final as Corofin’s Martin Farragher was shown a red card after barely a minute of play.
Corofin were stunned when referee Derek O’Mahoney brandished a red card after Farragher got caught up in an incident with Moorefield full-back Liam Healy. There didn’t seem to be much in it at all and, to almost everyone’s surprise, O’Mahoney sent Farragher off.
It provoked a strong reaction on Twitter, with the overriding feeling being that the Moorefield man had exaggerated contact. The two players challenged for the ball in the air and, although Farragher’s knee came close to his face, replays confirmed there was minimal contact. Basically, it was a nothing decision. The ref got it badly wrong.
Tús dochreidte anseo AIB – CLC Peile Sinsear 1 – @MoorefieldGaa v @CorofinGAA #GAA2018
Cárta dearg cheana féin!#GAABeo pic.twitter.com/qoXVnC0Ycr— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 17, 2018
I thought that was a really harsh call to send-off Corofin's Martin Farragher in the first minute of @AIB_GAA All-Ireland semi-final #TheToughest
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) February 17, 2018
Not at the match looking at TG4, but the referee just got conned by the full back and poor Martin Farragher gets a RED
— Marún agus bán (@TribesmenGAA) February 17, 2018
Disgraceful decision by referee Derek O'Mahoney to send off Corofin's Martin Farragher there. Could deny Corofin an All-Ireland Final place. Such poor decision require punishments for officials. Players are dropped for much less.
— Edwin McGreal (@edmcgreal) February 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/EndaMcGearty/status/964866915201114113
Imagine your all Ireland club semi final was cut short for that . Feel for Martin Farragher. If @CorofinGAA go onto win I hope that red is overturned @AIB_GAA #clubchamp
— Sean Bruen (@SeanBruen10) February 17, 2018
Disgraceful decision to send off Martin Farragher. Very harsh for a player to miss out for a really poor decision. #GAA #gaabeo
— Ivor O'Loughlin (@ivoroloughlin) February 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/conorgolden03/status/964863272242565120
It’ll be a bitter pill to swallow for Farragher. To have your All-Ireland semi-final cut short in such circumstances will be difficult to accept. If Corofin go on to win, you’d have to think the red card will be overturned.
