Some Tyrone players should have red cards rescinded - Canavan

February 10, 2022

Tyrone players are shown a red card by referee David Gough for their involvement in the scuffle ©INPHO/Philip Magowan

Peter Canavan says he’d be “very disappointed” if some of the Tyrone players don't get their red cards from last Sunday’s Allianz Football League defeat to Armagh rescinded.

The All-Ireland champions saw four players – Michael McKernan, Padraig Hampsey, Peter Harte and Kieran McGeary – sent off in a late melee at the Athletic Grounds, where the home side also saw Greg McCabe red-carded.

As it stands, the four Tyrone players are set to miss Kildare’s visit to Omagh on Sunday week, February 20th through suspension and, speaking after the game, Red Hands great Canavan believed that referee David Gough was particularly harsh on the Tyrone players after the melee.

"The manner with how the game ended up was very disappointing. Yes, there was a melee and there were scuffles and there were unsavoury scenes,” the two-time All-Ireland winner is quoted saying by BBC Sport NI.

"It was not very nasty but to me and how four men could be highlighted against one from the opposition when clearly I think most people would agree both teams were very much part of it. It smacked of manners being put on All-Ireland champions.

"If the way forward now is that all teams and referees follow the example of the referee on Sunday and players are caught coming in late or joining the melee or carrying out headlocks and If that's a red card from now on that's great.

"I would applaud that but it has to be done in a fair and balanced way and I don't think that was the case on Sunday.

"I would be pretty certain there would be an appeal and I would like to think all video evidence will be used and I would be very disappointed if some of the Tyrone players don't get their red cards rescinded."


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