Down may appeal red card

DOWN County Board may be about to make a sensational bid for clemency for star midfielder Gregory McCartan, who was sent off in yesterday’s drawn Bank of Ireland Ulster football final epic, at St Tiernach’s Park, Clones.

McCartan is destined to miss next Sunday's replay, plus three more weeks of competitive football after being dismissed by Kerry referee Aidan Managan just before half-time in yesterday's enthralling battle.

"I thought it was a very harsh sending-off," said Down manager Paddy O'Rourke. "Gregory was fouled and he threw the ball back at the player who had fouled him.

"He shouldn't have done it, but he didn't mean to hurt anyone. I didn't think it was a sending-off."

His sentiments were echoed by James McCartan, who was introduced in the second-half of an encounter which saw Tyrone twice come back from the dead.

"I saw Gregory fall as if somebody had struck him with the foot. Gregory turned around and threw the ball at the fella. I didn't think that was a sending-off offence."

Sources in the Down camp indicate that an appeal is being considered. If they are to launch such a campaign, they will need to act fast in advance of Sunday's replay.

Their chances of success appear limited, as video evidence is likely to confirm that McCartan threw the ball at an opponent.

The GAC, who would hear the case, are unlikely to overturn the decision of referee Mangan purely on the grounds that McCartan did not intend to hurt his opponent they would almost certainly claim that the referee was within his rights to send him off, however harsh the dismissal was.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte was pleased that his men chased down a nine-point deficit in the second-half, and then re-grouped again after Down then created a three-point lead.

"I say to the lads, let you be the one to re-write the script. I don't believe in waiting for things to happen and players like Kevin Hughes, Peter Canavan, Eoin Mulligan, Philip Jordan and Brian McGuigan did that today," he said.

O'Rourke was also doling out the tributes to his men "boys who became men" was one phrase he uttered in the aftermath.

"Nineteen-year-old full-forward Dan Gordon plays full-forward like our grandfathers played the position, and his 2-1 yesterday marked the start of a special career," said O'Rourke.

Even when the battle is at its peak, a grin appears to form on O'Rourke's face every now and then.

"When the fourth goal went in, I thought that was it," he said.

This time, there was definitely a half-smile. It was the half-smile of a man who knew he could be presiding over a celebration, yet is thankful for the mercy of a second chance.