GAA to rule on card crux

THE chairman of Croke Park’s GAC, Tony O’Keeffe, has pledged to act on a bizarre rules anomaly which again surfaced in last Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier between Roscommon and Kildare.

The inconsistency surrounds the sendings-off in normal and extra-time of Roscommon midfielder Séamus O'Neill and Kildare attacker Tadgh Fennin.

O'Neill was sent off for a second yellow card in the second half of the game, but whereas Roscommon were permitted to return to a full complement of 15 players for extra-time on the basis that it is considered a "different game" in GAA rules, the yellow card picked up by Fennin in normal time was carried over into extra-time i.e. it was considered the same game. Fennin was shown a second yellow by referee Michael Collins in extra time, and was sent off.

"Certainly, the Roscommon-Kildare game has thrown up an anomaly," admitted Mr O'Keeffe. "And it is something we will bring to the attention of Croke Park's Rules Revision committee. We need to have the same philosophy whether it be in normal time or extra-time."

He explained: "The crux of the matter dates back to the decision to do away with the mandatory two-week ban for a sending-off. Once a player's ban (for two yellow cards) only extends to the end of that game, then Séamus O'Neill should have been eligible to return for extra-time."

But a further anomaly comes into play following a Central Council decision that extra-time was, in fact, a continuation of the same game; then the question arises should Roscommon have been allowed to return to 15 players for the extra-time?

"Certainly, this situation needs to be examined in the light of the disciplinary rules and procedures adopted by Congress in 2003."

This sports department has received scores of letter and queries on the incident in Portlaoise. One contributor pointed out: "There is clearly a contradiction, as all penalties incurred in normal time should either be carried forward to extra-time or else all penalties should be erased." The GAA's Rule 138.ii states that if a player is ordered off the field for a Category D offence, he shall be suspended for the duration of that game, which shall include extra-time where played.

Meanwhile, Kildare manager Pauric Nolan has backed Roscommon's "mistaken identity" bid to overturn O'Neill's second yellow card.

"The wrong man was booked," Nolan said yesterday. He confirmed that he was also aware of the sendings-off anomaly in Portlaoise, as a similar case had arisen with Offaly's Seán Grennan last season, when Nolan was in charge of the Faithful County.

"It is a problem, but there are more serious issues the GAC needs to face most importantly, the inconsistency of referees. By common consent, the most free-flowing football of the Championship this season has been played in Leinster, but there have been yellow and red cards all over the place. The law seems to shift from province to province."

O'Neill is eligible to play against Kerry in Monday's All-Ireland quarter-final, but Roscommon fear that another dismissal for two yellows would result in him receiving a two-week ban.

"As far as we are concerned, the second booking was a case of mistaken identity. It's important that we clear that up," said manager Tommy Carr.

Armagh were the only county to name their team last night for next weekend's Bank of Ireland, All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals at Croke Park.

The others are keeping their cards close to their chests. Laois were due to name their team last night, but have now decided to hold off until Friday night before revealing their hand. And the same applies to the other six Tyrone, Kerry, Donegal, Fermanagh, Galway and Roscommon, all of whom will not name until later in the week.

The only problem facing Mick O'Dwyer is the selecting of a left-half back to replace the out of bounds Kevin Fitzpatrick.

His likely replacement is Paul McDonald whose suspension has expired.

Roscommon are awaiting fitness reports on defenders Francie Grehan and John Whyte before naming their team to play Kerry.

Galway have four players on the treatment bench and will not select their side to play Donegal on Monday until later in the week.

Michael Comer, Matthew Clancy, Michael Meehan and Kevin Brady are receiving treatment for a variety of injuries.

Donegal have also delayed selecting their side in the hope that left corner forward Brendan Devenney will be passed fit .

Fermanagh are giving midfielder Tom Brewster all the time he needs to recover from a groin injury before announcing their side to take on League and Ulster champions Tyrone.

Brewster, a vital cog in the Fermanagh machine picked up his injury in the exciting win over Mayo.

Likewise Tyrone manager Mickey Harte will not pick his side until groin-victim Chris Lawn undergoes a fitness test later in the week.

ARMAGH (SF v Laois): P. Hearty; A. Mallon; E. McNulty; F. Bellew; A. O'Rourke; K. McGeeney; A. McCann; P. Loughran; P. McGrane; R. Clarke; J. McEntee; O. McCongle; S. McDonnell; D. Marsden; T. McEntee.