Black card surge this year but referees' chief wants more

The number of black cards issued during this year’s All-Ireland SFC and national league totalled 207, an increase of 27% on last year’s figure.

And yesterday, the Chairperson of the National Referees Committee backed the controversial punishment, though he admits the policing of the rule needs to be more consistent.

Across 64 championship games this summer, 71 black cards were dished out by referees, an increase of 13 on last year’s total of 58.

There was a similar rise in the black card count during the league, this year’s figure of 136 representing a 20% spike compared with 2015 where 105 black cards were shown.

Compared with 2014, the year of its introduction, 2016 figures show an overall increase of 42%. Indeed, this year, through league and championship the number of black cards shown rose above one per game (1.1) for the first time, calling into question referees’ interpretation of how cynical play is policed.

However, speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland yesterday, National Referees Committee chairman Sean Walsh reiterated his view that, overall, the clampdown on cynical play has been a success and has contributed to a high standard of play in this year’s championship.

“The black card was brought in for a purpose, for cynical fouling. I believe it has worked.

“The outcry only happens when the punishment is dished out. There will be no change to having a penalty for a cynical foul and a card being shown for it.

“There has been lot of talk over the last number of weeks about the black card. What has been lost in the whole argument, however, are the tremendous games we’ve had in the All-Ireland semi-finals and finals in both hurling and football.

“The referees have contributed to those games immensely.

“There was massive entertainment provided by the players. The referees also made a huge contribution and I think that has been lost in the whole debate over the last number of weeks.”

However, Walsh admitted the black card rule has been imposed inconsistently and suggested even more cards should have been flashed this year.

“The black card needs to be policed a bit better. We have to make sure the referees are more consistent in adapting the rule.

“This will continue to be achieved through training programmes — we have them on a fortnightly basis right through the championship. Black cards have been missed and the referees know that themselves.”

All-Ireland champions Dublin picked up four black cards over the course of their seven championship outings — Brian Fenton and Cormac Costello both walked at the end of their All-Ireland quarter and semi-final wins respectively, while James McCarthy (drawn game) and Jonny Cooper (replay) saw black in the first-half against Mayo. The westerners had a black card count of five across their nine games.

Stephen Rochford’s side were among the chief offenders this summer and their total was matched by Clare and Tipperary. Gordon Kelly and Podge Collins were twice black-carded during Clare’s run to the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Roscommon were guilty of not a single cynical indiscretion during their opening four games, but then picked up four as their summer ground to a halt — the Rossies had two players black-carded in both the Connacht final replay annihilation by Galway and their subsequent championship exit at the hands of Clare a week later. Carlow also saw four players ordered off and Turlough O’Brien’s side were the sole team to have three players dismissed in one game – Brendan Murphy, Darragh O’Brien and Sean Gannon walked during their 1-17 to 1-12 first round qualifier win over Wicklow.

Antrim, London, Wicklow and Limerick are the four counties not to have recorded a single black card.