Declan Hannon: 'I don't know if the black card is going to work long term'

Hannon, a former attacker turned defender, also described the double punishment of a black card and a penalty as particularly harsh.

Pictured at the launch of Movember Ahead of the Game Phase 4 2026 is Declan Hannon, ambassador and former Limerick hurler. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile.

Limerick great Declan Hannon says he isn't a fan of the black card rule in hurling and has questioned whether it 'is going to work long-term'.

But the five-time All-Ireland winning captain did reject concerns that the current wording of the rule may lead to an increase in diving and simulation.

Limerick goalkeeper Nickie Quaid conceded a penalty but avoided a black card for a foul on Clare's Peter Duggan during last Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final.

Quaid said afterwards that referee Thomas Walsh explained that it was a yellow card offence, and not a black card sanction, because Duggan wasn't in control of the sliotar at the time.

Former Cork goalkeeper Donal Óg Cusack suggested on The Sunday Game that 'if you were coaching a player, you'd nearly be telling him to take a dive in that situation, and make sure that they get what they want out of it'.

But Hannon, speaking at the launch of Movember Ahead of the Game Phase 4 2026, said he doesn't share that concern.

"I don't think so, I don't think that's the culture in the GAA and I don't think players would tolerate it either," said Hannon. "If I'd a teammate who was going around diving, that wouldn't be tolerated, that's not part of the identity that you want to be a part of.

"I'd hate to see that coming in. If that happened in Limerick, I know there'd be a meeting fairly quickly saying, 'What's the story here, like? That's not what we're about'. I'd be disappointed if that came into the game, there's no need for it, just get on with it."

Hannon, a former attacker turned defender, described the double punishment of a black card and a penalty as particularly harsh.

"I can see where they are going with it but it probably is a bit overly harsh," he said. "The penalty is a penalty (puck), and I don't know if the black card is going to work long term.

"There's probably going to be too many occasions where it's 'Well, is it a black card? Is it a yellow card? What's the decision here? What's the ruling on it?'

This year, the GAA and GPA are encouraging clubs across Ireland to take part in The Most Important Team Talk, continuing to raise awareness of the importance of mental fitness both on and off the pitch. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile.

"Teams have to be careful because you could be looking into the last 15 minutes of an All-Ireland final, all of a sudden then a black card is shown and you're under some pressure then.

"I think players are conscious of it though and they try to avoid it at all costs. It's a harsh one alright, it's a double whammy of a penalty."

As for Cork, whose season ended in Croke Park devastation for the third year in a row on Saturday, following defeat to Galway, Hannon acknowledged that it's not going to be easy for them going forward.

"Of course it's not but I suppose as players they'll have to talk about it together and move forwards as a group," he said.

"For us, in Limerick, we were lucky, any setbacks we had...we've a really strong group so we moved forward together. Cork are going to have to do that.

"They have some amazing players, fantastic players but they've obviously had the couple of setbacks up in Croke Park which is hugely difficult.

"It'll take them a bit of time to get over Saturday night. I think they're definitely good enough to win an All-Ireland, it's just about getting over that hurdle and there's probably a bit of extra weight weighing on them a small bit, with the talent they have and not getting over the line the last couple of years.

"It's difficult but you have to keep coming back knocking on that door, the worst thing you can do is throw in the towel. You're not going to win the All-Ireland if you do that, so they'll have to bounce back."

For more information on Movember Ahead of the Game visit https://aheadofthegame.movember.com/ie/