Donnellan earns unwanted first

Cyril Donnellan carries an unwanted record away from yesterday’s final.

The Padraig Pearse’s clubman was sent off in the 49th minute for swinging out at Kilkenny’s JJ Delaney. The straight red card, which should be a Category III offence but is dependent on referee James McGrath’s report, now carries a two-game suspension.

The GAA introduced games bans over time bans for Category II and III offences in January and Donnellan will become the first player sent off in an All-Ireland final to put the system to test. He will be suspended for the first two rounds of the 2013 league.