Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Has the red card become too penal in football's new age? 

Our gaelic football analyst and key FRC member argues that the red card consequences may need to be reviewed - and that teams will be rewarded by kicking the ball more.

SEEING RED: Micheál Burns is shown a red card by referee Seán Hurson in Kerry’s All-Ireland SFC defeat to Donegal last month. Pic: ©INPHO/James Lawlor.

Eight of the dozen big championship matches this weekend, between Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup, are do-or-die. That brings that fabulous edge unique to knockout football. 

While there is a sense that it is still early in proceedings, it is hard to have any sympathy for the teams eliminated this weekend who will be losing a third game in a row. The exceptions are provincial champions, Kerry and Roscommon, who if beaten will fall to their second consecutive defeat.