If a player commits a foul against my team, unless he is a standout player on the opposition team, I would prefer him to get a yellow than a black. More advantageous to us as he may be watching his step for the rest of the game.
Reasons spouted for getting rid of black card *No advantage to team fouled - I agree. Should be a 10 minute sin bin. *It is taking physicality out of game - Rubbish and not backed up by facts. None of the fouls that lead to a black card have anything to do with physicality. *Inconsistent application of rule - Unfortunately that argument can be made for most rules in the GAA. e.g. Frontal shoulder charges some days are reds some days not even a free. Referee education and help for the ref is what is needed.
Suggestion *For intercounty games pick linesmen from referees panel. *Move linesmen 10 yards in field and give the 2nd and 3rd referee roles. Referee follows the ball but 2nd & 3rd referee use zonal system calling up all off the ball stuff. They should ignore the ball and let the 1st referee call line balls. *2nd & 3rd referee could blow for fouls like in Aussie Rules.
Replying To Soma: "I enjoy your posts as they are some of the most sensible on here but I think you are wrong on this issue. The biggest problem with your suggestion of giving a penalty is referees decisions will have even bigger impact on games - there is no reason to think there would be more consistency with that than applying the black card but now the difference is between a team getting a penalty or not. While Cavanaghs tackle got a lot of the headlines some of the worst cynical fouling that year took place in the closing minutes of the All-Ireland final when Dublin forwards just routinely dragged Mayo men to the ground in Mayos half - it stopped Mayo breaking quickly and the game was further delayed while the Dublin players picked up meaningless yellow cards. Bringing the ball forward 15 metres is useless in that situation, but the black card has largely stopped that nonsense. It would be interesting to see what would happen if the black card was dropped for a year - I think only then would people see the real value of it."
Yeah possibly a penalty would be too harsh a punishment in some black card instance.
Black card or sin bin would be better for the sort of cynical fouling by forward that you mentioned.
The current penalty does break down as an effective punishment in many situations, particularly later in the game.
It can be tricky sometimes to come up with rules to catch all situations.
I agree that having the black card is much better than no black card.