There was nothing to give in the second half. Can't see how you'd have an issue with him there
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On a different day, it could have been Drogheda moaning about the decisions that cost them a cup final place etc. I certainly wouldn't argue that Buttimer has it in for Dundalk.
I will look at that handball claim. I was level with that free kick in the ground at the time but saw nothing. I'll have another look though.
Some refs in LoI definately have an ego and maybe as failed players seek out a profile. That said a wider issue that is international too is that players con refs reguarly, and without the benefit of slowmo replay they may as well toss a coin on what sanction to give. Take Floods dive in Inchicore v Dundalk that got massey booked or the robust tackles that went in on Towell but were unpunished(not focusing on Pats players just recent examples). Refs need to be assisted properly and supported by the association. If that is retrospective heavy punishment dished out from TV evididence and is significant discouragement for players to cheat the job of reffing is an easier one. Refs are bad but it isnt all in their court all of the time!
While people may say that Cawleys assertion that refs should be more lenient in a derby or other high profile games is rubbish, well i believe that a level of common sense leniency should be given - dish out a yellow for every tackle in the first 10 minutes as a feisty game has 2 teams trying to get the early edge - then the bar is set for numerous sendings off, controversy and people calling for common sense, refs in a lose lose, so Cawley's opinion has some merit within reason.
Meenans sending off, well if had been a Drog player i'd have been saying hmmm maybe harsh, could be a yellow but can see why the red was dished, then i'd probably have chuckled and though tough sh*te! Sheilds well peno maybe as may have been hard to judge at full pelt, the ball clearly deviated making ye thing that he made contact with the ball, could have accepted the peno as one of those footballing things, I just dont get the sending off, if that red was a precedence then every mistimed tackle or foul in the box could be a red. It was an honest attempt to play the ball, there was defensive cover so last man or professional foul is not the rationale, violent conduct nope. Was it a red anywhere else on the pitch, highly unlikely so therefore not a red ever.
Im sure many can understand the frustration, Drogs will have a laugh about it and do plenty of winding up, some Dundalk fans will play the persecution card, others wont speak for a week. and while it may be puke worthy to some we still have had some season, uncovered a few gems, lifted attendences, moved toward a breakeven/small deficit financial year ahead of schedule. Stability at management level, soon with playing staff, European qualification and all after a season where relegation was a certainty bar Monagahan's Dundalk FC rescue bid!
There is no last-man rule. It was a goal-scoring opportunity (hence why Shields had to gamble and make the challenge) so if it's a foul it's a red according to the rules, but I think he got the ball. Meenan's was just a straight-forward red. I don't know why anyone would say otherwise, he came steaming in late and high with his studs showing.
Judge for yourself: http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/734/478860/
He's about two feet off the ground at one point but he's lower when he actually makes contact. O'Conor is lucky he didn't have his studs planted otherwise his leg would be in two pieces right now.
a bit off the ground on impact.
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Jesus man, wise up a bit. Horrible challenge by Meenan.
I've huge sympathy for Dundalk. Genuinely wanted them to hammer Drogs, but sympathy is slowly wearing very thin looking at their reactions.
They can feel ever so slightly aggrieved about two red cards, but 100% a penalty, and at very minimum, a yellow for Meenan given that he genuinely attempted to get the ball.
These two for starters. 2:01:16 and 1:56:20 http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/10205612/
Both should have been bookings and second one wasn't even a free???
There was also Drogheda handballs he let go and any 50/50 decision went in Drogheda's favour. His first half display was incompetence, his second half he had an agenda.
Look, it was a bad tackle and one that could have hurt O'Conor.
It was a definite yellow. I thought a red was harsh, but have seen them given in similar cases.
It was a pretty good game up to that point. Both teams were trying to play ball and avoid giving away fouls.
Last man , covering defender, professional foul, call it whatever but have a look again it wasnt a clear goal scoring oppertunity with Andy Boyle about to put a block in if OBrien had carried through. It wasnt a penalty but if it had been given without a card i could accept that even if made no difference to the outcome, i cannot get the thought process behind the red card. Meenan i have no qualms with his card, it was rash and on a wet surface should know that momentum could carry him through the player risking the card!
Peno cover, it's close enough could have got a shot in, could have been blocked. Interestingly on the radio this morning Stephen Kenny described this as:
"3 defenders closing in from the other side".
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Just for yourself. Looks to me like he has loads of room to get his shot away even if the covering defender does come across.
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Would the PFAI not come out and defend there players? Surely a statement on the disgrace of a ref needs to be issued