Even the most ardent Tyronian has to recognize what McCann did was out of line but the backlash has been extreme. The onset of social media means that these days condemnation can be anonymous, immediate and brutal. While you'd expect some morons on twitter to know no better, some of the comments from players, ex players, journalists etc has been one eyed hyperbole . Unfortunately for Tyrone, they have annoyed a lot of people in the past and their failings are seized on by more than most.
GAA's machismo considers feigning injury and diving to be a much worse act than actually causing an injury in the first place. Should it be though ? Should someone who stamps on a prostrate opponent or punches someone in the back of the head be less castigated than the person who feigns injury.
All the same diving is still a blight on the game and should be eradicated, however you cannot suddenly, in the middle of the season, ban a player for this when other transgressors have escaped punishment all year. We all know Tyronians aren't slow in playing the persecution card ! but they'd have every right to feel picked on if McCann's proposed ban goes through.
I'd like to see the GAA next season to have a citing commissoner to review every Championship match on a Monday evening who can hand out bans/punishments for those who have committed serious foul play during a game and indeed simulation should come under this bracket. I think the SPL have had a system for a number of years when you can punish players retrospectively if they feel they have dived or feigned injury.
While I can't believe I'm actually writing this I do actually feel a bit sorry for Tyrone. In 2 of their 3 last three matches they have came in for some seriously bad hits from the opposition. The focus on McCann has certainly taken away the spotlight from Monaghan's discipline in the last 10 or mins. They simply lost the head and could easily had a few more sent off, Paul Finlay was a walking red card from the moment he came on, madness for such a talented player.
Mickey Harte has done brilliantly to get his team so far. Everyone knows that they aren't a patch talent wise on their 00's vintage with only really Donnelly, Harte and S Cavanagh as top notch players. They'll probably not have enough at midfield to beat Kerry but they've proved many doubters wrong so far this year. It's a pity their excellence has been overshadowed by the McCann incident.
GAA's machismo considers feigning injury and diving to be a much worse act than actually causing an injury in the first place. Should it be though ? Should someone who stamps on a prostrate opponent or punches someone in the back of the head be less castigated than the person who feigns injury.
All the same diving is still a blight on the game and should be eradicated, however you cannot suddenly, in the middle of the season, ban a player for this when other transgressors have escaped punishment all year. We all know Tyronians aren't slow in playing the persecution card ! but they'd have every right to feel picked on if McCann's proposed ban goes through.
I'd like to see the GAA next season to have a citing commissoner to review every Championship match on a Monday evening who can hand out bans/punishments for those who have committed serious foul play during a game and indeed simulation should come under this bracket. I think the SPL have had a system for a number of years when you can punish players retrospectively if they feel they have dived or feigned injury.
While I can't believe I'm actually writing this I do actually feel a bit sorry for Tyrone. In 2 of their 3 last three matches they have came in for some seriously bad hits from the opposition. The focus on McCann has certainly taken away the spotlight from Monaghan's discipline in the last 10 or mins. They simply lost the head and could easily had a few more sent off, Paul Finlay was a walking red card from the moment he came on, madness for such a talented player.
Mickey Harte has done brilliantly to get his team so far. Everyone knows that they aren't a patch talent wise on their 00's vintage with only really Donnelly, Harte and S Cavanagh as top notch players. They'll probably not have enough at midfield to beat Kerry but they've proved many doubters wrong so far this year. It's a pity their excellence has been overshadowed by the McCann incident.
