https://youtu.be/4sQCeTpgJUM
Kieran Donaghy claimed he was the victim of foul play from Philly McMahon late in the All-Ireland final between Kerry and Dublin.
With four minutes to go in the game, McMahon placed his hand unnecessarily close to the eye of the Kerry forward.
The incident was analysed on the Sunday Game, but certainly not with the decisiveness of the Tiernan McCann dive earlier in the summer.
Tomás Ó Sé said that he felt it was wrong to highlight the incident on All-Ireland final night. Ó Sé did not state when he felt would be appropriate to discuss the matter. Though it is hard to think of a better time than on RTÉ's flagship GAA programme on the night of the game. He did however assert that 'there is a case to be answered'.
If you actually zone in, there is an issue. There was a lot of talk about it on social media.
On a night like this, you don't want to be highlighting stuff like this. I personally thing it's wrong to be highlighting it on a night like this.
There is an issue there. There's a case to be answered.
Ciaran Whelan explained that McMahon 'plays the game on the edge' - it was an oft-repeated rationalisation for the behaviour. Whelan did however agree that the Dublin defender 'should not have had his hand in there'.
Obviously we've see a lot of these incidents this year. They can look different from angles. OK, from Philly's perspective, his hand is probably in somewhere where it shouldn't be.
Philly plays the game on the edge. He's had a phenomenal year for Dublin in terms of his football.
As Tomás said, he probably shouldn't have his hand in there.
Citing his own experience, Tomás Ó Sé theorised that some retrospective punishment could be in McMahon's future.
In 2009, we won an All-Ireland against Cork and I got a letter in the post saying that I actually stamped on a guy. He might get a letter in the post soon enough, I'd say.
Finally, Kevin McStay was the most cautious.
You said Ciaran would be accused of being pro-Dub, I'd be accused of being anti-Philly McMahon from the last night we were on the show when there were incidents. So, I'm a little bit slow to comment on it.
I'm in total agreement with what Ciaran says, he's had a great day today but he's spoiled it a little bit by putting his hand where it didn't need to be. Now, that's about as much as I can say about the pictures that are in front of us. We must be really careful with those pictures.
He plays on the edge and you're going to win some and you're going to lose some. His hand didn't need to be where it was.
The wishy-washy assessment of the incident received a hammering on Twitter.
@TheSundayGame Are you all afraid of legal letters tonight guys. Quit beating round the bush re Philly mc Mahon. Say it as it is.
— Tony McEntee (@TonyMcEntee) September 20, 2015
Thats an incredible soft landing 4 McMahon from @TheSundayGame when u consider the hanging other lads received this year for lesser offences — Aidan O'Rourke (@AidanORourke) September 20, 2015
Jees! that was nasty Philly. Wheelan very inconsistent compared to way he spoke about Tyrone #forktongue #GAA
— Ronan McSherry (@RonanMcSherryUH) September 20, 2015
This is incredibly windy analysis of an important incident by the panel on @TheSundayGame — Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) September 20, 2015
Just like officiating, you want consistency from your pundits. Compare McMahon slating to McCann. It's weird. #GAA
— Niall McCoy (@McCoyNiall) September 20, 2015
It's no wonder Mickey Harte doesn't want to talk to RTÉ. #gaa — An Spailpín Fánach (@anspailpin) September 20, 2015
What Philly McMahon did today was 10 times worse than what Tiernan McCann did and shouldve gotten more scrutiny from the #SundayGame
— Shane O Sullivan (@ShaneOSullivan) September 20, 2015
Very timid analysis on @TheSundayGame re Philly McMahon incident with Donaghy. Saying he 'plays on the edge' is a total cop out #SundayGame — Peter O'Connell (@Westclarepage) September 20, 2015
