Burns sees red after ugly scenes follow the half-time hooter in Killarney
May 23, 2026
Referee Sean Hurson gives Micheál Burns of Kerry a red card at the start of the second-half ©INPHO/James Lawlor
Kerry were made to start the second-half of this afternoon’s All-Ireland SFC opener against Donegal with 14 men after Micheál Burns was red-carded before the restart at Fitzgerald Stadium.
Ugly scenes at half-time marred this repeat of last year’s Sam Maguire Cup decider, with players and members of both backroom teams getting involved.
Donegal wing back Ryan McHugh would leave the field with a bloodied face and before restarting things for the second-half, referee Sean Hurson spoke with both managers ahead of cautioning Evan Looney and then sending off Burns on a straight red card.
Jim McGuinness’s side had led by 1-11 to 0-9 at the interval and points from Oisin Gallen and Michael Langan would extend their advantage to seven within 10 minutes of the resumption in Killarney.
TweetHALF-TIME DRAMA😲
— GAA+ (@GAAPlusOfficial) May 23, 2026
As the hooter sounded, tensions rose in Killarney🥊
It's all to play for in the second half of this epic battle🔥👀#KERvDON@Kerry_Official@donegalgaa
Clips courtesy of@AIB_GAA pic.twitter.com/ofYMeP7e8W
