Spotlight sharper on officials than Diarmuid Connolly

What does it say when yet again a match official is unable to take matters into his own hands during a game, asks John Fogarty.

At the time, it looked innocuous. Even if that will likely matter little in the final judgement, it’s worth stating. The reaction in our area of the O’Moore Park press box to the exchange between Diarmuid Connolly and linesman Ciarán Branagan on Saturday was muted even if Carlow manager Turlough O’Brien and coach Steven Poacher’s protests were to the contrary.

In real time, it didn’t look too bad either. Slow motion, though, damns the Dubliner. As do the constant replays. As does the fact he has a rap sheet. It is believed afterwards members of the Dublin management team were unhappy to learn live broadcasters Sky Sports were playing the incident on a loop in their analysis of the second-half.