Galway would have to try a lot harder to stop Cillian O’Connor from doing his thing.
Cillian O’Connor wasn’t exactly the most well-liked player on the pitch during the Connacht semi-final against Galway at Pearse Stadium on Sunday.
He received his fair share of criticism for the play that saw Thomas Flynn get black-carded.
Some gave him credit for forcing the block from the Galwegian when he appeared to not have a hope of getting to the ball first.
Cillian O'Connor bought that too. Was never winning that ball. Smart. T Flynn black card. #GAA
— Tommy Rooney (@TomasORuanaidh) June 11, 2017
Cillian O'Connor stitched him up there!! Hard to like him when he is playing
— Declan Graham (@dogreacain) June 11, 2017
Others felt that the call by the referee to show the black card to Flynn was questionable.
What did the ref expect Tom Flynn to do with Cillian O'Connor running straight at him??!! Questionable half of refereeing
— Eddie O'Sullivan (@EddieOSullivan7) June 11, 2017
Cillian O'Connor just launched himself at Flynn and Flynn gets a black card aaaannd the ref saw it all 😡🙄 #GALvMAYO
— Lorna Mulvaney (@Misslornielou) June 11, 2017
Anyone else think that Cillian O'Connor just ran into Tomás Flynn? Joe Mc Quillan needs to handle on the antics. #blackcard #GAA #GALvMAYO
— Kevin Reilly (@kevreilly1) June 11, 2017
Quite a few people thought what O’Connor did was very cynical though.
Cillian O'Connor should be ashamed of how he carries himself on the pitch.Nothing worse than trying to get opposition players sent off #GAA
— Caoimhe Nà Deasúin (@NJPWJKC) June 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/MichealMartin2/status/873930999117303808
https://twitter.com/liamo24/status/873931071393542144
Sad to see what modern football is becoming. Cillian O'Connor whining like a soccer player trying to get Galway players sent off. #GALvMAYO
— Joe Johnston (@joejohnston24) June 11, 2017
Regardless of your stance on that challenge, there was one moment where O’Connor pulled off an impressive feat while managing to maintain his footing in the process.
At the sideline, while being pulled and dragged by a Galway player, he only had eyes for the ball. Even with his jersey being gripped tightly by another man, he kept his balance and pulled off this outrageous pick up.
Cillian O'Connor, lads pulling & dragging off him, still nails an outrageous pick up. He's a boss #MayoGAA pic.twitter.com/D1Kpafg7LN
— Niall McGarry (@MrNiallMcGarry) June 11, 2017
