Kerry boss says Ó Sé was targeted
August 25, 2008
Pat O'Shea believes that his key midfielder Darragh Ó Sé had been targeted by the Cork players in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final, which ultimately led to the veteran's sending-off early in the second-half.
The Kerry manager revealed that he hadn't seen the incident which led to Ó Sé's red card, but believes that the reasons he was targeted were because of what he brings to the team.
"It's very disappointing for Darragh. Darragh is a very passionate player," said O'Shea afterwards. "He has given fantastic service as an amateur player to this game. Unfortunately, he gets targeted and blamed and painted with different brushes all his career.
"It was disappointing for him today, to get sent off. Obviously, he didn't bargain on that. I didn't see the incident so I can't comment on what provoked it or what happened.
"Players in all games are targeted, but for some players certain players are pencilled out because of their talent or because of their inspiration."
Despite watching side throw away an eight point lead in the closing stages, O'Shea denied any feelings of defeat on the day.
"We're still in the championship. Nothing has changed. It would have been nice to finish the job today, but it wasn't to be and I mean that's sport. We felt in control but Cork are always likely to create some chances and obviously they did that," O'Shea said.
"But it doesn't. Genuinely it doesn't. We have got to come back. Games are funny all the time. We sat here two weeks ago at the Galway game and conditions had a bearing that day and today sport is about.you have got to play for 70 minutes, you have got to play all the time, chances are going to go to the opposition, they are going to go your way. Unfortunately you are going to have to take the ones that come your way and you are going to have to defend what happens against you.
"That's sport. It would be far worse if we were having this conversation and we had lost."
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