It turned out to be a frustrating night for Rovers and I understand your irritation! The discussion on whether a red was shown to Rogers or not was always going to be the big discussion point. It's all going to be clichéd comment - seen them given etc. But imo Harvey went with the letter of the law and Clarke was heading away from goal. If a red card had been shown I think Dundalk fans would have accepted it but with some grumbles on the player losing control of the ball, was heading away from goal and that defenders may have gotten etc back so not a 'stonewall' decision.
The peno shout I also felt that the arm/hand was away from the body and there didnt seem to be an effort to not block the cross it. If VAR was available it would have likely have been given. So logically if they are given by VAR they are penalties even if daft (similar to keepers keeping a foot on the line), the rule probably needs to change especially if there was VAR scrutiny but currently if VAR would give it then it should have been a penalty. Again seen them given but wasnt hopping mad 'cause it wasnt. Its likely that Dundalk's penalty count and maybe even Bradleys comments during the week worked against us and the ref wasnt going to give a penalty that wasnt 'stonewall'....was it at the box or in the box though, thats the big talking point...
By the time of the Rogers incident Rovers should have been out of sight and it should not be seen as the game defining moment that many Rovers fans will feel it was. There were a number of clear cut chances to win the game for Rovers both halves. Dundalk should have done better with the couple of breaks that had both Duffy and Hoban a good pass from putting either through on goal also.
Bradly was very magnaninous in defeat in his post match interview and rightly focused on how well Rovers played rather than questioning refs decisions. A quality striker and Rovers are a complete side. In saying that Hoban did very little really tonight though i think that he'd have finished one of the chances Greene had.
The league is far from done and if Rovers play like that for the remainder of the season they wont be far off in the league and should be hopefull of a good cup run. Europe will impact on teams' season so while 8 points is a nice lead to have its not game over. If the situation arises where games in hand happen there will be a lot of pressure to make them count so anything can happen yet.
Were Derry very good or Cork very poor tonight. O'Connor being suspended now wont help things but for as poor as Cork have been this season they are above Waterford!!
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