Black cards will not be wiped in extra-time

The black card will not be wiped after the final whistle.

Plans to change the current cards system in extra-time of GAA matches have been shelved ahead of next month’s Congress.

In November, the playing rules committee had proposed that black cards picked up in regulation time be wiped for a team in extra-time. Currently, yellow and red cards don’t carry into the additional periods and their rationale of their recommendation was to provide consistency across the three card-worthy forms of sanction.

However, Central Council responded negatively to the idea with a number of delegates believing all cards earned in regulation time should be carried into extra-time. The playing rules body were asked to revisit their proposal but there was no alternative motion forthcoming.

Last year’s All-Ireland SFC final referee David Gough had criticised their initial motion. On the Twitter/X social platform, he posted: “It just never stops....endless unnecessary tinkering with the rules. Elite referees, unsurprisingly, only given 24 hours to view & respond to this one, which I severely oppose. Playing Rules committee want to stop black cards carrying over into extra-time”.

The playing rules body, which is chaired by David Hassan and includes former Cork secretary Frank Murphy, are to make a number of recommendations to the annual event in Newry. Included among them is a rule order a hurler who takes off his helmet to leave the pitch for treatment and the game to carry on.

They will also seek to make permanent at inter-county level only the awarding of penalty and black card for a cynical foul inside the 20-metre line or semi-circle 25m in from the sideline that prevents a goal-scoring opportunity.

Meanwhile, Páirc Uí Rinn will host Friday’s McGrath Cup final between Cork and Kerry (7pm throw-in).

The first final between the counties on Cork soil since 2014 when the home side won by four points in Mallow, Friday is only the second McGrath Cup decider between the counties since then. Kerry won the 2022 clash by 12 points in Killarney.

Kerry have not played since beating Limerick on January 6 to make the final, while Cork secured their berth when they were comprehensive winners against Waterford in Mallow on Sunday.

McCarthy Insurance Group have been announced as the new title sponsors of Cork’s football leagues and championships. The insurance brokers, who have nine branches in the county, have agreed a three-year deal with the Cork County Board, taking over from Bon Secours (championship) and Cork Credit Unions (league).