Lee Keegan has exonerated referee David Gough from the blame after Michael Murphy avoided a ‘blatant’ red card during Donegal’s Allianz Football League final victory over Kerry.

The 2012 All-Ireland winning captain went on to score 1-5 after a closed-fist tackle on Kerry corner back Dylan Casey in the 16th minute only warranted a yellow card from the Meath match official. However, Keegan believes linesman Conor Lane – who had a perfect view of the incident – should have made sure that justice was served.

“It was the most blatant red card. There's probably no excuse for it to be honest,” the former Mayo star said on RTÉ’s Allianz League Sunday.

“The first dig is bad enough to the ribs, it's the second one that's probably inexcusable.

“Someone with his experience and knowhow of the game, to do something like that in a game like that is probably really disappointing. I know Jim [McGuinness] said he didn't see it. I could see it up I the stands today, it was as clear as sky.

“Gough might be getting a bit of flack this evening. I can't blame Gough, I don't think he could see it. The linesman needs to be really strong there; it's directly in front of him and as clear a strike as you'll get.

“For me it's a red card all day.”

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