We slag appeals like nothing normal but, sometimes, they are absolutely necessary.
A red card for St. Brigid’s player Garvan Dolan has been downgraded to a yellow after a successful hearing in Roscommon.
The brother of Rossies legend and club manager Frankie Dolan was sent off during their championship clash with Boyle after a challenge on inter-county hero Enda Smith but the footage proved it was a pretty much an innocuous a coming-together and he was since cleared.
#rosgaa red card for Garvan
— St.Brigid's Gaa Club (@StBrigidsRos) August 19, 2017
Boyle won the game 3-15 to 3-9 but the champions, Brigid’s, were reduced to 14 men when midfielder Dolan saw the line.
It’s difficult for referees to call everything perfectly – especially at club games – without the benefit of slowed-down replays so all the more reason to have your video guy keep a record of proceedings.
The clip proved that Garvan Dolan didn’t warrant a red card and, in fairness to the Roscommon committee, they acted fast and downgraded the offence – clearing Dolan of any suspension.
Smith rips the ball from the Brigid’s player’s clutches, pops it off and Dolan hits him late with a shoulder. But it’s nothing more than that.
The 2013 All-Ireland champions lost the following fixture the next week to Western Gaels but they’re sitting alright in the senior championship group anyway.
The top four teams in section A are through to the next round with third and fourth placed teams taking on the top two outfits of section B in a quarter-final.
As it stands, Roscommon Gaels and Western Gaels would be straight into the semi-finals.
The final group games will take place next week on Saturday night:
Boyle v Padraig Pearses
St. Brigid’s v Roscommon Gaels
St. Faithleach’s v Western Gaels
In Section B, Clann na nGael and Strokestown are in top spot with seven points each but just one adrift lie Elphin who take on Clann na nGael in a final day shootout for a quarter-final spot.
