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RTÉ Panel Divided As Wexford Red Card Proves Decisive In Clare Hammering

RTÉ Panel Divided As Wexford Red Card Proves Decisive In Clare Hammering
Eoin Harrington
By Eoin Harrington Updated
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Clare hammered Wexford on Saturday afternoon, with the Banner reaching their third successive All-Ireland semi-final.

Also for the third year in a row, Clare came into the All-Ireland quarter-final off the back of defeat in the provincial decider to neighbours Limerick.

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However, the Banner looked rejuvenated at Semple Stadium on Saturday, and they pulled away in the second half - though they had help from a contentious refereeing decision just before the break.

Rory O'Connor had been the standout player for Wexford in the first half, though he was walking a tightrope after receiving a divisive yellow card early on.

The caution would soon come back to bite the St. Martin's man, who was sent off just before half-time for a late hit on David Reidy.

At the time of O'Connor's dismissal, Wexford were level. Ultimately, they would lose by 12 on a dour day in Thurles for the Yellowbellies.

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Many GAA fans took to social media to share their belief that O'Connor's first caution had been harsh, especially after its full impact on Wexford's fate was revealed in the second half.

The RTÉ panel assessed O'Connor's two yellow cards at the break, with pundits Anthony Daly and Ursula Jacob split on whether O'Connor deserved to have been sent off.

READ HERE: Shane Dowling Highlights Concerning Aspect Of Cork Performance v Dublin

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Divisive red card proves turning point as Wexford hammered by Clare

 

Cork camogie legend Ursula Jacob came to Rory O'Connor's defence at half-time of Wexford v Clare, defending the corner-forward for his first offence.

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Jacob believed that the first foul from O'Connor did not warrant a yellow card, though she admitted the Wexford star should not have been so rash while playing with a caution to his name.

I had literally turned to Shane [Dowling] just before it happened and said, 'Rory is leading the charge.' He's such a crucial player.

The first yellow, for me, is a harsh one. I think it is harsh. He comes in with the arm across but I think that, in the first couple of minutes of the game, that's not a yellow.

Here [the second yellow] I think Rory should have known better. He was on a yellow, he does come in late, slaps down on David Reidy.

To me, the second one was a yellow, but not the first.

Two-time All-Ireland winner Anthony Daly was alongside Jacob in the studio, and he had a difference of opinion to the Cork icon.

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Daly said that he believed O'Connor had been "silly" and "rash," and that the two challenges suggested a lack of understanding of his own importance to the Wexford cause.

I thought the first one was [a yellow card], to be honest.

I think he got on it sillily, let's say, the yellow. You have to have more composure.

It's the old tackle that we all hated as players - as you were hitting the ball, your force is coming up against the force down.

It's just the composure to know that he's one of their leaders. He has to know there that he can't make those rash ones.

The incident has certainly split opinion, and it certainly hurt Wexford badly in the second half as Clare took total control.

Next month's semi-final will see Clare face Kilkenny for the third year in a row, with the Banner hoping to finally break their duck and reach a first All-Ireland final in 11 years.

SEE ALSO: Anthony Daly Had Brilliant EUROs One-Liner During Hurling Schedule Debate

Anthony Daly hurling EUROs

 

 

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