Tomas Ó Sé believes Diarmuid Connolly and other 'marquee players' are being increasingly targeted by the opposition.
His comments come after Westmeath manager Tom Cribbin admitted after last month's Leinster SFC final that the Lake County had tried to provoke the St. Vincent's clubman into getting him sent off. Connolly was yellow-carded for grabbing James Dolan in a headlock after the Westmeath half back had ruffled his hair on that occasion, but he failed to finish Saturday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Donegal after picking up two yellow cards.
Ó Sé said on The Sunday Game last night: "There has been a lot of talk about Connolly. I think Connolly is being targeted; I think he is targeted before games.
"I think fellas are picking at him and the Aidan O'Sheas, the Michael Murphys, the Sean Cavanaghs, the marquee players [are being targeted]. This is coming into our game a little bit."
The former Kerry star backed Dublin's decision to appeal Eoghan O'Gara's straight red card for a slap on Neil McGee's stomach area.
"I think it's farcical; I think it should be overturned. Eoghan O'Gara is an easy target any time he comes in. It was handbags stuff. It's no worse than pushing or shoving a fella back," he added.
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