MICHEÁL MCGEE, the late former Gaelic games commentator and analyst, had a phrase for days like Sunday.
“It’s no place for Mammy’s pets,” McGee would say. Sunday was Mother’s Day, but the sward of Austin Stack Park in Tralee was no place for her pets.
- Two tribes went to war
WHEN Eddie Kinsella threw the ball up at half two on Sunday, it was clear from the moment the O’Neills was hoisted that it wasn’t going to be a straightforward afternoon.
With the ball in the air, Kieran Donaghy wrestled hold of Michael Murphy, the Donegal captain, and retained a grip for four seconds, clearly preventing Murphy from making an attempt to gain possession.
The touchpaper was lit. Murphy was on the deck seconds later and Donaghy hit out at Leo McLoone, who waded in.
Kinsella’s failure to act at this early juncture allowed the contest simmer almost out of control, to the point where Kinsella felt it necessary to summons Rory Gallagher and Eamonn Fitzmaurice, the respective managers, to his dressing room at half-time in a bid to quell the tempers.
By the end of the afternoon, during which Kinsella awarded 59 frees, he had flashed two red cards – to McLoone and Alan Fitzgerald – seven yellows and two blacks.
Donegal have beeen portrayed as the instigators, but a look at the actions of Donaghy, Aidan O’Mahony and Bryan Sheehan – all of whom went unpunished – at different intervals would suggest otherwise.
The bloodied faces and jerseys of Neil McGee, Martin O’Reilly and Marc Ó Sé further illustrated a fractious and spiteful contest that will live in the memory only for the non-football aspect of the day.
- Cameras bringing the ugly side to the fore
IT seems that Neil McGee is anxiously waiting news of a proposed sanction by the Central Competitions Controls Committee (CCCC) regarding the incident, seven minutes into the game that led to the dismissal of Kerry forward Alan Fitzgerald.
The Kerry man was sent off for striking a couple of blows to McGee.
Television footage showed McGee pulling the hand of Fitzgerald in an aggressive manner prior to the strike.
The CCCC are understood to have held a meeting this morning to review the footage, but Donegal are believed to be steadfast in their claims that Fitzgerald had repeatedly nipped McGee in the stomach as they jostled.
Footage of that is believed to exist and likely to be examined with the CCCC set to review all tapes of the game, including clips that weren’t shown on the TG4 coverage of the game.
Multiple cameras aren’t present at all games and the incident involving McGee was illuminated with the game being televised.
Replays sent social media into overdrive and it hardly helped that Paul Galvin’s 94,700 Twitter followers were treated to a one-sided view from a former player whose track record isn’t exactly glory-filled.
The whole furore since appear to add weight to the notion that teams would much prefer their games not to be shown, with similar incidents having occurred without the same level of scrutiny, due to the absence of the camera crews.
- Eoghan Ban’s baptism of fire
DAYS like Sunday would test the toughest of Gaelic footballers so it was certainly quite the baptism of fire for Killybegs’ Eoghan Ban Gallagher, who made his first League start against the Kingdom.
The 19-year-old was drafted onto the senior panel last summer and made his debut in this year’s Dr McKenna Cup.
Son of former Donegal player John Ban Gallagher, Eoghan’s chance was inhibited in the smoke of a fire that raged throughout the first half.
“I thought that Eoghan Ban Gallagher acquitted himself well,” Rory Gallagher said of the youngster. It’s a big challenge to go in there at 19 years of age, but he did well and that game will bring him on.”
- Donegal lose their way
WHEN Michael Murpy climbed above Mark Griffin, the Kerry full-back, turned and, with Griffin and goalkeeper Brendan Kelly just inches away, slammed high into the roof of the net, Donegal were within striking distance.
It was a piece of magic by Murphy and another reminder of his venom on the edge of the square, but it didn’t provide the catalyst for a comeback with another Murphy free all Donegal could add to the tally in the last 14 minutes.
Earlier in the second half, Patrick McBrearty drew Donegal level at seven points apiece, but Peter Crowley’s goal gave Kerry a push towards victory.
That, more than anything, disappointed Rory Gallagher.
“I’m really disappointed in that,” the Donegal boss said.
“We had gained a platform at midfield and got level. We were in the ascendancy. Fair enough, switching off for the goal, but we still didn’t regain the grip.”
- Defeat hasn’t spelled disaster for Donegal
THERE are now just four points separating the top five teams in Division 1 with only three rounds of games left.
Donegal play their final home game on Sunday when they take on Roscommon in Letterkenny before they travel away to Dublin and Monaghan in their last two fixtures.
Roscommon have been the surprise package in Division 1 but, as Patrick McBrearty said yesterday, defeat on Sunday doesn’t necessarily spell disaster for Donegal.
“We still have six points on the board,” the Kilcar man said.
“If you’d given us this situation before the League we’d have taken it. If we win thise weekend we’d be in a League semi-final which would be good for us.”
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