Christy O'Connor: Hurling's black card anomaly doesn't make any sense

St Martin's decision making cracked during the second half of the All-Ireland semi-final against a Ballygunner side which never panicked

Paddy Leavey foul on Rory O'Connor during the All-Ireland semi-final between Ballygunner and St Martin's would have been a black card in inter-county but that rules does not apply in the club game. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

In the 33rd minute of the All-Ireland semi-final Thurles yesterday, Rory O’Connor secured possession on the edge of the D and took off towards goal. The St Martin’s forward got past Ballygunner's Ian Kenny and Philip Mahony but just as he was about to enter the large parallelogram inside the 13m line, O’Connor was pulled down around the neck by Paddy Leavey.

If Leavey was in a Waterford jersey, it would have been a penalty but the Ballygunner midfielder knew it couldn’t because the black card is still not in club hurling.