There’s taking no prisoners and then there’s burning the whole jail down.
Aoife Murray is an uncompromising goalkeeper but, on Sunday, one challenged went further into the unceremonious territory.
The Cork stopper’s intentions were what most sportspeople’s would be in that moment. Her side were trailing, Shelly Farrell had side-stepped her and was about to finish the final off with one swing of her hurl so Murray stopped her – whatever she could.
Perhaps, though, that cynicism could’ve been a little more about just stopping her and not taking her completely out.
Farrell had the footing on the Cork ‘keeper but Murray hauled her down – no-one will argue with that decision. The left arm around the neck and diving challenge though was more than just hauling her down.
Farrell looked a little shaken after the hit – it was full force and full on after all – but the Kilkenny captain recovered, picked herself up and went on to lead her team to league glory.
Murray, to her credit, didn’t argue with the referee’s decision as she accepted her fate and graciously walked to the touchline.
The resultant penalty was actually saved by Murray’s replacement but that wasn’t enough to deny Kilkenny the title.
Aoife Murray receives a red card for the challenge.@KilkennyCamogie 0-15 @CorkCamogie 1-11 pic.twitter.com/alrGe5njIj
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 8, 2018
Yet again, the action was all captured brilliantly by TG4.
