Davy Burke: 'When you are the poor old Rossies, you don't get these calls'

Roscommon were edged out by their Connacht rivals on Saturday.

Sat, 01 Jun, 2024 - 20:19

Maurice Brosnan

Roscommon boss Davy Burke was left frustrated by several key calls during their 2-14 to 1-15 defeat against Mayo at Dr Hyde Park.

The home side trailed by two points with 10 minutes left when Ryan O’Donoghue was awarded a penalty that he converted. However, Burke took issue with the number of steps before that call.

He went on to reference another incident at the other end as well as the black card decision in Croke Park last weekend. Eoin McCormack was penalised after he and Eoin Murchan went to ground while scrambling back towards the Roscommon goal.

“Eight steps are eight steps,” he said post-match.

“Were we not looking at Sean Bugler a month ago 14 steps in Croke Park and was there not a big clampdown on steps? Game being decided on eight steps by Ryan O'Donoghue. Was there not a penalty shout at the other end that he gave for a free out? Some of these decisions are baffling.

“We had a black card in Croke Park. For the first time ever, I think it was the first time in history a black card was given for a man in front. Eoin McCormack was in front and he got a black card. Look, when you are the poor old Rossies you don't get these calls, do you?” Roscommon were awarded a penalty of their own after a Sam Callinan foul but had another shout before the final whistle. Daire Cregg burst through on goal in the final minute of additional time and his goal-bound effort hit Matthew Ruane’s foot and went out for a 45.

“The first one Diarmuid Murtagh was through and he gave a free out. Daire Cregg takes a shot at goal and it's a foot block. The fourth official saw Ryan O'Donoghue's was a penalty but never saw any Roscommon decisions. It's very funny, isn't it? Look lads, it is what it is.”

They face Cavan next needing a result but despite a third loss to Mayo this season, Burke was satisfied with their showing.

“Nothing in it. If Roscommon take a goal either way, it would’ve settled it. I'm very happy with the lads. Nothing bounced for us in general play and we got no decisions. We'll be all right in two weeks’ time.”

Meanwhile, Mayo Kevin McStay had his own grievances after substitute Fergal Boland was sent off late on. He said he did not see the incident but believes it was a case of mistaken identity.

“No, but the person that called it is pretty sure they saw it, even though we are pretty sure at the least it’s mistaken identity. How do you see something that’s mistaken identity? There were a few of those moments in the match. A sideline ball on my side was well in in the first half and ends up in a Roscommon point.

“These are big moments, there was a shot in the second half that was about four yards wide, and the umpire doesn’t know what he’s doing and looks over at the other umpire. A few of those we didn’t get today and it’s a little bit disappointing on that front, but we’re through and you are not going to hear me complain.

“These are small things that happen, we want the bounce obviously, but the Rossies want the bounce as well, so we have to live with what the ref does.” McStay said he is hopeful their final-round neutral tie will be fixed for O’Connor Park.

“We would be very hopeful that Tullamore would be the venue for that Dublin match. I don’t like to pressurise anyone. We are told there will be a decision on Tuesday morning.”