Stephen O'Brien's black card for a rugby tackle on Conor McAliskey late in the All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone was a major blemish for Kerry as they progressed to the decider against Dublin next month.
The Kenmare forward scored the only goal of the game in a move which he started in his own half. At the death of the game, O'Brien picked up his third black card of the year, one which on paper rules him out of the final.
However, O'Brien can appeal one of those cards. Kerry manager Peter Keane said after the game that if that avenue is open to them, they will look to go down it.
The second of those black cards was dealt in the Super 8 game against Meath last week for an off-the-ball collision.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1 following the game, former Kerry player Tomás Ó Sé allayed fears that O'Brien could miss the September 1st game.
"It wasn't a black card [vs Meath]," said Ó Sé.
It was two lads hopping off each other and the Meath man went down. I definitely, definitely think he will get off that.
If you highlight that clip and say a man is going to miss an All-Ireland final because of that... It wasn't even cynical, it was out around the middle of the park, it was two lads coming together.
It would be a scandalous joke if Stephen O'Brien missed [the All-Ireland final]. If there's any man who would say that was a black card, I'll take my hat off.
"One thing he won't get away with is today's," added Oisín McConville.
"I don't even think he should be worried going home on the bus.
"That black card, it was said last week in Navan, it was a nothing incident. He'll definitely get away with it."
Speaking to Marty Morrissey on RTÉ following today's game, O'Brien himself said that he thought the black card against Meath was a harsh decision and that the team will look to appeal it.
Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
