John Bannon: Ulster clash tough for referee

Of the three televised games this weekend, the most difficult match to officiate was the Donegal v Derry Ulster semi-final in Clones.

In the third minute, Caolan O’Boyle took seven steps with the ball before he was confronted by two Donegal defenders who made contact. After that, he took five further steps and yet was awarded a free. With all the talk about tackling at the moment, it’s almost impossible to defend when a player is allowed to over-carry not once but twice.

Steps was also an issue for Martin O’Reilly’s goal for Donegal in the 45th minute. He took at least seven steps before scoring it. In the eighth minute, Paul Durcan threw the ball to Eamon McGee but wasn’t blown.

Karl Lacey could count himself awful unlucky not to be awarded a free in the 15th minute when his free hand was held by Sean Leo McGoldrick from which Derry created a score.

Both McGees, Eamon and Neil, were involved in a number of incidents after the whistle had gone but received no sanction from Rory Hickey.

The first of the two black cards came in the 65th minute when Brendan Rogers was correctly punished. However, Ciaran McFaul’s one was more worthy of a red than a black as it was the most dangerous tackle seen so far in Championship 2015.

Yesterday, both Conor Lane and David Coldrick enjoyed good games although Graham Reilly was somewhat unfortunate to pick up a black card in the 46th minute when his trip looked to be accidental. Conor was correct to issue Paddy O’Rourke a red card and a black to Donncha Tobin.

Coldrick was on top throughout and called it right when he issued Cathal McNally a yellow card for a neck high challenge.

It causes a lot of confusion in the crowd because spectators see it as either a black or a red card when it is actually a cautionable offence.

In the 49th and 50th minutes, players from each side became embroiled in scuffles although Paul Flynn and Ciaran Kilkenny were unlucky to enter the referee’s book as they seemed to be the innocent parties.