John Caulfield: Graham Cummins ban shows rules must change

Cork City boss John Caulfield believes League of Ireland suspension rules need to be changed in the wake of Graham Cummins controversial weekend sending off.

The champions got the defence of their title off to a winning start, coming out on top in a 3-2 win against St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park last Friday night. Cummins was a scorer on the night for City but he was sent off after being harshly adjudged to have elbowed Saints defender Kevin Toner.

Under League of Ireland rules, Cummins’ straight red card means he misses Friday night’s Munster derby against Waterford United at Turner’s Cross with a mandatory one-match ban, which can’t be appealed. The length of the suspension will be determined after today’s independent tribunal, where the club will plead their player’s case.