Derry selector Paul McIver wasn't happy with the first half sending off of Fergal Doherty against Mayo.

The veteran midfielder was issued with a second yellow card for a high challenge on Aidan O'Shea, a decision which McIver described afterwards as 'very harsh'.

"Both men were going for the ball. The man just got there in front of Fergal. I think the referees have to realise that the game is played by margins and he was a margin out," he said.

"I thought it was very harsh myself, personally. The first yellow was very harsh. He was definitely going for the ball."

The selector also hit out at what he perceived as persistent fouling on Enda Lynn and Kevin Johnston.

"A lot of people are questioning what is this black card, what is not the black card. We looked at the stats at half-time and Enda Lynn himself had been fouled personally 12 or 13 times in the first half and we wanted him to keep getting on the ball in the second half.

"He received a number of personal fouls. The number of times Kevin Johnston was going through and was taken out and nothing was given. So look, it's there to be clarified before the championship starts." Tweet

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