O’Shea philosophical despite ‘foot block’ controversy

PAT O’SHEA wasn’t just being diplomatic. He said straight out — when quizzed on the field minutes after the final whistle — that he couldn’t say if Kieran Donaghy had been ‘foot-blocked’ when he attempted to kick a goal in injury time in yesterday’s Allianz NFL final in Parnell Park.

But, in a fleeting conversation with Colm Cooper, he was left in no doubt that a Derry defender stopped Donaghy’s kick by raising his foot.

The last act of the referee before blowing the final whistle was to show Cooper a (second) yellow card for questioning his decision. And, the Kerry management could have grievances over his resultant dismissal because of the doubtful nature of the first card about six minutes after he was introduced — when a linesman’s call led to a booking for the Crokes star and his marker, Kevin McGuckin.