Here we are again.
There was at least three, if not four definite black card earning challenges over the weekend, but only one black card was given, and that was to Kildare’s Keith Cribbin in the second half against Armagh.
The black card has been a farce in the GAA, ever since it’s introduction in 2015.
Barely a Championship weekend passes without controversy, without consternation, without a referee not applying the rule correctly.
First of all, we must revisit what actually is a black card offence, because many referees can’t seem to implement it properly.
According to the GAA rulebook, the following are the indiscretions which warrant a black card.
- Deliberate body collide (what we know as a third man tackle)
- Deliberate trip
- Deliberate pull down/body check.
- Verbal abuse to an opponent or team mate
- Remonstrating with a match official
The incidents which occurred this weekend.
Mark Donnellan (Kildare) – Black card was deserved as a result of a deliberate trip on Armagh full forward Andrew Murnin who was running to make himself available for a kick out. It was so clear, as you can see here.
He received a yellow card.
Shane Enright (Kerry) – Black card was deserved as a result of deliberate body check after Galway’s Johnny Heaney had released the ball.
He received a yellow card.
Tadhg O’Rourke (Roscommon) – Black card was deserved after another clear, deliberate pull down on an advancing Diarmuid O’Connor.
He received no card.
These were not standalone incidents either. In the last Championship weekend, Donegal’s Michael Murphy was farcically issued with a black card when he in no way deserved it.
There were more incidents over the weekend as well but it just seems that referees don’t want to pull out a black card on the big occassion, maybe because the stakes are at their highest.
This inconsistency leaves players not knowing what they can and can’t do, and it’s an unhealthy place for the game to be.
The GAA are now at a crossroads with the rule. The rule itself seems to be fine, the problems are arising because of referee’s inability to implement the rule correctly, and to distinguish between a black card and yellow card.
The question is, is it possible for referees to keep on top of the game to be able to meet these black card incidents? Or is the various breaches of the rule putting too much pressure on them to make a decision in the split second that they have?
Either way, the GAA has to act, because the current situation is an absolute joke.
