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Connolly interfering with match official

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Replying To JayP:  "Completely agree with you. I had a sentence at the start of that post after I said officials dont protect him. The admin censored it. I just said "He has learnt nothing".

Meaning he knows guys are gonna foul him punch him etc. Hes the best player in the country on his day. They are gonna do their best to put him off. Some of the nonsense he has to put up is disgraceful. But he should know by now that he is a marked man. And officials have to look at themselves and protect the better players. But Connolly falls for this all the time.

But nothing in the incident with the linesman. He made a horrible call with the line ball. If anything is hurt it will be the linesmans pride after making such a bad call."
There are guys on other teams and other lads the Dublin team getting the same treatment. It's unfortunate but in this day and age this treatment is the standard in inter county. Every county have defenders operating this way it takes a certain resolve not to lash out. His treatment is not a special case he just need to find a way to avoid letting it get to him. As for yesterday what I saw he should have got the line mind I've only seen it a few times it does look like he applys some degree of force when he touches the linesman maybe on closer inspection he may but I would need to see it again. Who knows if the ccc will think it deserve a ban or not.

Spoddgy (Mayo) - Posts: 660 - 04/06/2017 20:40:03    1994652

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Replying To clondalkindub:  "Ah stop would ya he barely touched him. And I
Promise you if Murphy did the same I would say the same."
If Murphy did the same then my reaction would also be the same.

You can't touch officials, full stop.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 04/06/2017 21:06:16    1994679

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There wasnt an awful lot in it in fairness. I would say people should calm down.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 04/06/2017 21:15:13    1994687

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Replying To JayP:  "Connolly gets targeted. Officials dont help him.

But it was a nothing incident. Cian O'Sullivan put his hand on the refs shoulder at one stage? As did the Carlow boys numerous times.

Constant outrage, its embarrassing. Sky play the incident over and over as its Connolly. If that was Lee Keegan they wouldnt show it. Wouldnt be a word said about it.

Nothing to see here..... lets move on"
Ah stop, if Aidan O Shea done it , it would be replayed over and over again. Connolly was wrong full stop . It doesn't get replayed if he doesn't do it.
Yes he gets wound up by other teams, no different to Philly or Johnny winding up opposition players.
He is letting down the team at the moment, he should be laughing at this stuff and showing his football skills.
Dublin need him, but it's getting close to him being too much of a liability,

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 04/06/2017 21:22:38    1994689

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Replying To clondalkindub:  "By the way that was the worst line call I've ever seen, the Carlow keeper kicks it straight out over the sideline and he gives Carlow the line ball, I understand officials have a tough job but Jesus that was an easy call to make and yet he gets it wrong."
doesn't excuse connollys response or for that matter any other players. Officials are there to do a job which personally is a thankless one { and yes sometimes they make errors or mistakes } but it does not give any player the right to verbally or physically abuse any body officiating regardless of it being at club or county level. As for making excuses for players who blow a fuse does this mean you support what they have done? every gaa supporter but more importantly his team mates and more so the team manager and county officials { not just Connolly } should be condemning the players behaviour and not running to appeals and employing lawyers to look for loopholes to get punishments rescinded or reduced. All this talk and moral high ground of gaa supporter about the manliness and integrity of the amateur ethos contradicts the above behaviour of county officials and players. Just man up admit you made a mistake and are sorry i'll take my punishment and other county supporters maybe? would have more respect for other counties and players. Again quit this there was nothing in it and it was the lines mans fault bullmanure, it is still abuse of an official. And before someone comes back it is not an attack on Dublin or their support, but sometimes the tinted glasses have to be removed and say it's plain wrong

bulmccabe (Tyrone) - Posts: 361 - 04/06/2017 21:33:55    1994694

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Not sure if it was mentioned already, Paul Galvin got 12 weeks for slapping a note book out of a referres hand, in the same aggressive manner as Connolly.

royce (UK) - Posts: 30 - 04/06/2017 21:33:58    1994695

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Replying To Gael85:  "Like Spillane has done for last 20+ years boy??"
probably not be highlighted to save all the calls to live line, joe duffy etc tomorrow

bulmccabe (Tyrone) - Posts: 361 - 04/06/2017 21:35:38    1994696

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "I agree. It WAS a totally nothing incident BUT the GAA has set the precedent with McGeeney and Comerford. The rules clearly state that laying your hands on an official, or even motioning towards him/her, is an automatic 3 month ban. I think Connelly's constant indiscipline is totally disrespect to his teammates, management and fans. Yes he is the target for opposition players but so were Canavan, Stevie O'Neill, Gooch etc. You have to control your inner self on the pitch at the top level. Wonderful footballer but starting to be remembered for on and off field nonsense. Is that the legacy Connolly wants?"
just a wee question, will his disciplinary record already this year be used to increase any punishment,does the county board also be fined for not controlling a player? and yes I am well aware he has not been sanctioned at this stage and we are all speculating, surmising and even gloating at diarmuid Connolly but secretly just love all the controversy on a sunday evening that keeps us in gossip for the next week

bulmccabe (Tyrone) - Posts: 361 - 04/06/2017 21:40:33    1994699

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Replying To clondalkindub:  "Ah stop would ya he barely touched him. And I
Promise you if Murphy did the same I would say the same."
clondalkindub, are you condoning his behaviour last night? all this what aboutery regarding other players indescretions is only trying to deflect away from the original point

bulmccabe (Tyrone) - Posts: 361 - 04/06/2017 21:42:57    1994700

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Replying To TheUsername:  "I am loving the licking of the lips, of the Tyrone, Mayo and Kerry fans about the possibility of a Connolly suspension. God how far some counties have fallen when something like this boosts their own chances. Quite pitiful really.

I was in the stand right in front of the incident and saw the whole thing start to finish. No one can excuse his disciplinary record and even his biggest supports you will see shouting at him at least once a game "walk away Dermo". But the incident itself highlights also how the GAA have consistently failed to implement the rules to allow him to play, there were three Carlow players around him with the ball out of play, holding, pucking and pulling at him, that is also a failure to implement the rules. Before that incident 3 Carlow players went balled headed for him with the ball out of play trying to rile him in center field. There has always been a lack of protection for him.

Now when the incident happened in real time he walked from the confrontational mele with the three Carlow players to lineman, his mind was elsewhere and he touched the chest. It looked and was nothing at the time, in fact the linesman didnt seem to know that it had happened. Watching it back he poked the referee. I dont think there was malice in it just an error in the heat.

Look the rules are there and he will probably get some form of a ban. I think it suits the GAA really it is in there interests to make the championship more competitive with a little bit of faituqe in and around Dublins dominance. The game will be poorer for it certainly as he is a cracking player, the last score of yesterday sums him up. I wonder will they consider his loss considerable in terms of marketing, the GAA use him quite a lot and also for the Club Campionship, if i was him depending on the bad i would be thinking about pulling his participation in his media contribution to the GAA.

Lets see what happens the rules are there, i know Dublin have a very good legal team. But like i said the GAA have created a monster in Connolly in that their failure to take action in protecting its most skillful players like yesterday with three lads pucking at him has led to a confrontational issue with an official. Not excusing Dermo but its a fact. Maybe Dublin need to dish out some of this.

Sad week for the GAA with this and the Kerry Doping scandal."
makes for great tv and paper/ internet/ radio media and gets the gaa plenty of coverage. abusing any official is against the rules regardless of profile or county, it is hard enough to get officials and retain them and incidents like this or others already this year do nothing to help

bulmccabe (Tyrone) - Posts: 361 - 04/06/2017 21:48:24    1994704

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Replying To JayP:  "Connolly gets targeted. Officials dont help him.

But it was a nothing incident. Cian O'Sullivan put his hand on the refs shoulder at one stage? As did the Carlow boys numerous times.

Constant outrage, its embarrassing. Sky play the incident over and over as its Connolly. If that was Lee Keegan they wouldnt show it. Wouldnt be a word said about it.

Nothing to see here..... lets move on"
jeez you really are blinded by blue goggles. the ref is their to implement the rules and protect ALL players as best he can not just the high profile dub, tyrone, Kerry, mayo, Donegal etc players. Players are responsible for their own actions once they cross that white line. Connolly hasn't been sanctioned , only on here yet so lets wait and see. But please stop condoning players wrong doing from whatever county and lets start condemning their actions starting with the teammates, management, county officials and supporters and maybe then players will start to think before rushing in to situations.

bulmccabe (Tyrone) - Posts: 361 - 04/06/2017 21:54:38    1994709

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Relatively minor what DC did but match officials are sacrosanct. He will get the minimum for the offence which unfortunately for him is 12 weeks. Especially with the Tipp keeper and Mcgeeney getting done for similar offences.

I have some sympathy for him. He gets a works of abuse and not a lot of protection.

For all of Dublin's players they are much weakened without him.

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1829 - 04/06/2017 22:02:46    1994716

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Well at least this puts an end to the myth that only incidents involving Ulster players are highlighted on here, 7 pages in 24 hours is good going. I imagine the linesman didn't feel he was assaulted or he would have informed the referee but I do expect Connolly to be punished due to the hysteria, which means we are unlikely to see one of the country's best footballers again this summer. I have very little sympathy for him as what he done was stupid, but it's a shame for the football fans who love watching the best talents.
Incidentally it is a one match ban for all players who contribute to a melee. Strangely I don't see many looking for the strict enforcement of this rule following today's game in Newry - there would be about 12 suspensions if that was investigated. But sure the CCCC always are biased against southern teams :)

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 04/06/2017 22:11:34    1994726

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some panel there on tonights sunday game. Saves whelans blushes and shows rtes cop out

bulmccabe (Tyrone) - Posts: 361 - 04/06/2017 22:18:04    1994733

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I didnt see it yet. You can't put you hands on an official in the manner I'm hearing Connolly did. If that is the case, give him the 12 weeks. Would the ban take affect from the day of the infraction or from the day the ban is handed down?
As 12 weeks from the incident would be the day before the All Ireland semis if Dublin were to make it there.

Marse (Dublin) - Posts: 217 - 04/06/2017 22:27:54    1994739

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "He's not French."
LOL. I better be careful with my spelling on here in case I get a lengthy ban too!!

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2749 - 04/06/2017 22:36:12    1994742

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Replying To bulmccabe:  "jeez you really are blinded by blue goggles. the ref is their to implement the rules and protect ALL players as best he can not just the high profile dub, tyrone, Kerry, mayo, Donegal etc players. Players are responsible for their own actions once they cross that white line. Connolly hasn't been sanctioned , only on here yet so lets wait and see. But please stop condoning players wrong doing from whatever county and lets start condemning their actions starting with the teammates, management, county officials and supporters and maybe then players will start to think before rushing in to situations."
....... And the officials part in incidents has to be highlighted and explored too. The officials have to protect players by applying the letter of the law. Too many of our better players are targeted and when officials do intetvene it is way too late. It was a nothing incident anyone saying otherwise has some other agenda. Did he abuse the official? I dont believe from what I have seen he has he was entitled to make a point from a truly shocking nocall from the linesman who is probably embarrassed by it all.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4897 - 04/06/2017 22:44:47    1994746

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The man was like a bull. The linesman just shrivelled in awe and the ref did absolutely nothing, but both sets of officials conspired to send off Brendan Murphy v shortly afterwards following continuous cynical behaviour by Jonny Cooper who knowingly knew he was vulnerable on a soft yellow card. That killed the game we were competing very well in until then.

Shove on the linesman aside (which is an absolute open and shut case), the vulgar finger poking into the face was/is indicative of what a nasty side there can be to an otherwise seriously undisputed talented player.

Connollys yellow card gets little commentary at all here however. This was a blatant close line tackle that warranted more. It's a shame, but Dublin as All Ireland champions were seriously frustrated/rattled up to that point (indicative most so by Connollys over reaction), yet the game was killed a minute or so latter by Murphys sending off.

Fenton was nullified until Brendan went off and Connolly was largely insignificant save for the foregoing side show and an injury time 45 (three injury time scores that put an unwarranted dirtier look on the end scoreboard).

Some really dreadful referring put Dublin in the clear. A flattering shoreline really and we're a man down now for the qualifiers. Maybe we can appeal his first yellow card to the CCC (short for Carlow CountyCouncil lads, we might have a better chance if it's misaddressed - any dissent from Carlow is otherwise just thrown in the bin).

Meath and Kildare should take heart from yesterday. Westmeath too. They're not unbeatable in Leinster.

Passer_By (Carlow) - Posts: 509 - 04/06/2017 22:45:38    1994747

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I think as a community of sportspeople, we have our priorities all screwed up if this thread is anything to go by. Yes Connolly was confrontational to the match official, but look at what happened just before it. He was being manhandled by 3 carlow players. I think the linesman gave a decision against him in terms of the direction of the sideline, instead of giving him the free. That is the elephant in the room that we are not talking about.

An over reaction that is barely a reaction at all, rather than comment on fairly hefty physical man handling that went on before it.

I am not saying that Connolly wasn't doing it himself during the game, but in this instance he certainly was the offended against imo.

Similar incidents seem to plague the sport. Players are systematically beheaded by clothes line tackles during games when they are in full flight of a solo run, and the worst case scenario for an offending player is a yellow card, followed by a wink to a team mate or the sideline. Yet pundits and supporters will discuss to death a player who points a finger lightly in the chest of an official, a very human and normal reaction to a situation.

If you want to talk about bad sportsmanship, do so in honest context rather than nit pick the rulebook to death to make a point. Someone made the point that this reaction was the same as Galvin back in 2008 when he slapped the book from the refs hands. What nonsense.

We should all grow up as a community. This sort of attention is focusing the rules in the wrong place. We should be looking at systematic dangerous tackling, systematic diving and play acting to get an advantage or a player sent off. Not a human reaction to a situation on the pitch, which was barely a reaction at all.

This is a non story that is getting a pitiful level of attention by many in the hope that Connolly will miss an all ireland semi final. The same people are pretending to care that Connolly is bringing the game into disrepute when they dont care at all. It is fairly pathetic.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 04/06/2017 23:01:26    1994757

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Replying To Soma:  "Well at least this puts an end to the myth that only incidents involving Ulster players are highlighted on here, 7 pages in 24 hours is good going. I imagine the linesman didn't feel he was assaulted or he would have informed the referee but I do expect Connolly to be punished due to the hysteria, which means we are unlikely to see one of the country's best footballers again this summer. I have very little sympathy for him as what he done was stupid, but it's a shame for the football fans who love watching the best talents.
Incidentally it is a one match ban for all players who contribute to a melee. Strangely I don't see many looking for the strict enforcement of this rule following today's game in Newry - there would be about 12 suspensions if that was investigated. But sure the CCCC always are biased against southern teams :)"
if the one match ban is applied as per the rules, both Armagh and down would have some serious personnel issues for the next game and sitting close by it really is something that needs addressing too because for young spectators it certainly looks ugly but looks like a part of the game and to add grown men and even women foaming at the mouth and roaring expletives at opposing players and the ref not a nice sight. Brought down to kingspan in Belfast as a gift for a favour done and the ulster spectators getting a fellow supporter ejected by security for bad language around kids and other fans and shouting at the ref. really was an eye opener.

bulmccabe (Tyrone) - Posts: 361 - 04/06/2017 23:02:14    1994758

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