Less than a minute into the action at O'Connor Park on Saturday afternoon, there was a majorly contentious moment in the All-Ireland Club Football Championship semi-final between Galway's Corofin and Kildare's Moorefield.
Corofin full-forward Martin Farragher and the Moorefield full-back Liam Healy both rose to contest the ball seconds after the throw-in. Their battle ended with the Moorefield man on the ground holding his head and Farragher standing over him.
Referee Derek O'Mahony produced a red card for the Corofin player. Though not initially obvious, it seems that O'Mahony thought Farragher had made contact with Healy's head with his knee.
Judging from the TG4 replays of the incident, it appears that contact was minimal, at worst.
The decision has been viewed as a particularly poor one by the official.
Disgraceful decision by referee Derek O'Mahoney to send off Corofin's Martin Farragher there. Could deny Corofin an All-Ireland Final place. Such poor decision require punishments for officials. Players are dropped for much less.
— Edwin McGreal (@edmcgreal) February 17, 2018
I thought that was a really harsh call to send-off Corofin's Martin Farragher in the first minute of @AIB_GAA All-Ireland semi-final #TheToughest
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) February 17, 2018
Disgraceful sending off for the Corofin No 14. People wonder why players get frustrated with referees. There is a prime example. #AllIrelandClubSemiFinal
— Steven McDonnell (@StevenMcD13) February 17, 2018
You can judge for yourself below.
Tús dochreidte anseo AIB - CLC Peile Sinsear 1 - @MoorefieldGaa v @CorofinGAA #GAA2018
Cárta dearg cheana féin!#GAABeo pic.twitter.com/qoXVnC0Ycr— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) February 17, 2018
