Tackle rule puzzles Counihan as 60 frees awarded
Thirty-one scores was a massive number for a February Allianz League game in what were difficult underfoot conditions.
Referee Michael Duffy also awarded over 60 frees in what was hardly a dirty game and the Cork manager reckoned each side’s backs were stymied by the implementation.
“We had a meeting with the referees last Monday night and it’s very difficult to tackle now,” said Counihan. “There were a lot of frees on both sides and it’s very frustrating for defenders.
“Referees are there to implement the rules and are being assessed by assessors and the element of common sense doesn’t seem to be there.
“There’s a question of intent and that’s key to me. If a guy is reckless then he deserves to be punished but if there isn’t then use commonsense. But I appreciate where the referees are on this.”
As much as Counihan was delighted with the result and the steeliness shown by free-takers Daniel Goulding and Donncha O’Connor, he rued how much of it had come by way of frees (seven in total).
“You’d like to get more scores from play but we’re not.”
Counihan elected not to comment on Noel O’Leary’s sending off — simply because he didn’t witness the incident.
“I’m not going to do an Arsene Wenger but I didn’t see it,” laughed the Aghada man.
Counihan confirmed that it was a groin injury which ruled out John Miskella from starting while the same setback forced Aidan Walsh to retire from the game after 53 minutes.
Counihan’s opposite number Jack O’Connor pinpointed midfield as Kerry’s achilles heel yesterday.
“The stats tell me we were in a bit of bother in midfield and that’s the area where we have to look at. It’s not just midfield, it’s the whole middle eight there.”
He continued: “One point in the first 25 minutes of the second half is not good enough.”
O’Connor also suggested an eye operation could prevent Colm Cooper from a return to Kerry colours against Mayo on February 20th.
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