Gavin: black cards paying dividends

Between them, tomorrow’s semi-finalists Dublin and Cork have picked up just three black cards in 14 games. Mayo and Derry’s total is just the same and Jim Gavin believes the new rule is having its desired effect.

The All-Ireland champions have yet to pick up one although they have incurred a number of yellow cards as well as four red cards, the latest of which, Rory O’Carroll’s, right, against Tyrone, they are appealing.

It’s led to suggestions Dublin are happy to pick up yellow cards so long as they avoid automatic substitutions, but Gavin dismisses that idea.