What they said ... the weekend in quotes
January 06, 2014
Dublin manager Jim Gavin. INPHO
It's no surprise that the introduction of the new black card rule was the main topic of discussion over the weekend as the 2014 gaelic football season got up and running.
"The Dublin County Board were supportive of the black card and Dublin football team management support the black card, and I think it's good for the game."
All-Ireland winning boss
Jim Gavin give his thoughts on the new rule.
"We could not be but happy. I know people will say it is only January and it is only the McKenna Cup, but I would rather be winning no matter what time of the year it is."
Tyrone manager
Mickey Harte after watching his inexperienced side get the better of Donegal.
"It's very difficult, there was confusion along the line. You nearly need to have all your subs with their tracksuit bottoms off and ready to go because you don't know what players are going to be black-carded."
James McCartan outlines his concern about the black card following Down's 1-15 to 0-7 Dr McKenna Cup victory over UUJ.
"It's one thing adopting that attitude in an O'Byrne Cup match, whereas in a championship game fellas might be willing to sacrifice themselves in a potential goal situation, so we'll have to wait and see."
Wexford football manager
Aidan O'Brien remains to be convinced.
"It was a day for people to show the correct attitude - the weather was bad, the underfoot conditions were very soft and James has brought that attitude to the panel in the last few weeks since we've gone back training."
Galway football boss
Alan Mulholland heaps praise on new recruit James Kavanagh after the former Kildare All Star nominee played an influential role in the Tribesmen's FBD League success over Sligo.
"Look, we are all going to have to be patient. I was annoyed enough with the black card, because Stephen O'Brien was going well, and we were anxious to see him over 70 minutes. The referee said it was a deliberate body check, but it looked to me as if the ball was in the area and he made contact with his opponent slightly late but it was a genuine enough effort at a tackle."
Eamonn Fitzmaurice didn't agree with the decision of referee James Bermingham to issue a black card to Kerry corner-forward Stephen O'Brien.
"There were a lot of new players and the main thing for them is they want to stay on the field. There was a match somewhere where a guy was sent off after 10 minutes and I heard somebody complaining, 'ah, isn't that terrible, the poor fella, he training for the last six months and he only got six minutes'. All he had to do was not pull the guy down and he'd get to play the whole match."
FRC chairman
Eugene McGee was happy with how the black card was implemented.
"It's very hard to know in terms of how it develops over the course of a few months. I think by the end of the National League, people will have a clear idea. There wouldn't have been enough there for me today to make a judgement call."
Jim McGuinness adopts a wait-and-see approach on the rule change.
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