John Mullane is not happy.
Speaking on 2FM's Game On last night, the five-time All-Star believes Waterford were too quick to concede defeat with relation Conor Gleeson's suspension for September 3rd's All-Ireland final:
I think Waterford probably should have pursued it and gone the whole way with it and see where it would have taken them.
Although Mullane understood that it would drag 'into next week with the DRA (looking at it)', he insists that he nonetheless would have went 'full hog with it.'
The importance of the other Gleeson to Waterford's All-Ireland charge may pale in comparison to Austin, but, Mullane clearly believes that the arduous appeals process is worth indulging all the same.
Having been sent off for an altercation involving Cork's Patrick Horgan (who was similarly dismissed), Waterford's Derek McGrath and his management team chose not to pursue the decision beyond their initial appeal. Although vague as to why they decided not to pursue this avenue further, McGrath insisted that,
we’ve made a decision as a management - and player - to leave it at that now.
On top of this, the De La Salle club man revealed that he sought and received the support of Gleeson's family:
I was up with his mother yesterday and they’re very supportive of the stance we felt we should take.
Why is derek Mcgrath meetin wit his players mothers.theyre senior players. Not u6s. 1st de burca and Conor gleeson🤔🤔🤔
— Eoin Larkin (@11larky) August 23, 2017
However, having lambasted the appeals system previously with regards the length of time it took Tadhg de Burca's many cases to be heard, it seems somewhat unusual that Mullane now believes yet another lengthy appeals procedure should be launched before such an important game for the Deise.
With the de Burca case dominating the build-up to Waterford's semi-final clash, much to Mullane's chagrin, it is curious that he wishes to see such a process beginning again so soon.
