Messages

I did notice the 'jersey pull' sign at the time and I taut he was not getting a black. Yes Connolly was animated but no more so than many others, on both sides. For fans to say it wasn't a black with the benefit of replays highlights  that the ref has to make up his mind there and then. I have said before the ref tries to do the best he can and I believe Deegan did on Sunday but made some mistakes. That's sport and it's unfortunate. As a Dub I am quite happy to reiterate that Keegan was harshly done by.

For what it's worth I offer these few opinions.

1. Black card is broke, we had the sin bin and it was voted out.
2. Small shud have got a black.
3. Cooper was unlucky could have got away with it but was likely seething from being clattered after Mayo goal which added to his frustration.
4. Boyle was unlucky in my view. Whilst he was trying initially to grab de jersey which is not a black card, he had let go and Connolly's momentum resulted in him on the ground.
5. It was a peno but I can only be sure after looking again and if anyone tells me it wasn't and they were sure in real time they are doting, especially if they were in de Upper Decks. Oh and black is correct.
6. Connolly and Vaughan could have got black cards for their altercation, Vaughan more so for what could be construed a foot trip, Connolly for barging into him but it didn't take him from the play so on balance correct.

On refs and indeed any ref I am sure having 82,000 'experts' in de stand is daunting and the noise at pitch level adds to it. I am sure Deegan arose yesterday determined to do his best. He got some right and some wrong and that is life. The screaming and shouting when he gave a free against Dublin for a non competing player fetching the ball shows ignorance of the rules and having a go when the kick outs are taken and the receiver is less than 13m away which he can be if he was when the ball was kicked again shows poor rule knowledge. I feel the Media and by extension everyone else is focusing too much on the refs and decisions made. We are gone very Soccer like in this regards and it's not good. It makes for good TV. Ultimately Dublin repelled a great Mayo team, one I would love to see win Sam, but my allegiances are blue. Mayo will be back but they must unearth a few scoring forwards to progress. Dublin deserve huge credit for seeing off Donegal, Kerry and Mayo twice. Mayo the same for putting Tyrone to the sword, arguably their best performance before these two games came along.

I support the rule but it is not used correctly. Small was defo black, Coppers bit harsh, Keegans I don't think was and there were defo one or two more borderline. Saying that I think the ref was fine, I won't criticise them as the job is tough.

Got de email tonight. 60 for me and a tenner for the little lad. Very happy with that.

As a Dub I really expect a win by 3/4 points. It wud be a bonus if the game is good but I will take the win no matter. I would love to see Mayo win one but not at Dublins expense tomorrow. I have seen nothing that makes me think any result other than a Blue win is possible. Mayo were better last year I think and every player they have including the 6 subs would have to be on their 'A' game to take it tomorrow. Can't  wait, on de road early.

303, bit cheesed off!

303, bit cheesed off. 304/7 every match since season ticket started. Why now into 303 mystifies me!  There are same number of Dublin and likely Mayo ticket holders as there was in 2013.

Bit of a joke really at this stage. Everyone, teams included, need certainty. There is no way that match will take place considering the graphics attached. Nothing but rain as usual in this country.

It wont be in Roscommon, rain all week especially near weekend. Longford is out, Carrick too small, Tuam not suitable really as you need big seating capacity. Portlaoise is out, Mullingar is out, which leaves Tullamore, or maybe Croke Pk. No matter it has to be played and lovely venue it might be but Dr Hyde Pk is not playable.

This morning I did. Letter says Hurling Final so someone made a balls of the copy and paste. Thankfully ticket says Football Final. Section 305 happy with that.

A few thoughts.  Yes Dublin have unfair advantage but are willing to travel and have said so. Leinster GAA have picked the venues and if Dublin start travelling it means less money for other counties as gate receipts are way down. Most of the other counties would rather play in Croker.  A level playing field does not exist when it comes to funding from sponsorship but central funds are allocated appropriately.  Corporate sponsors want teams performing, in finals, competitive annually,  to get a return. That's why we have Kerry Group, AIG and the likes of Elverys.  Although Elverys are but small compared to those they have huge presence countrywide.  If Mayo lost them tomorrow you can be sure a huge sponsor will be found. Then again Tayto, Skoda,  Renault and chill.ie for example are fair big brands too.

I think the panel is only about 18/20 even less in hurling I think it's 10.

I think it's more that they appear afraid or uncertain over the colour of the card. Against Tyrone Kerry shud have had a black no doubt. In comparison McAuleys was a borderline call in fairness. Could never see it given in a club match. I think all we want is the right call most of the time. In these matches though the ref needs his umpires and linesmen to be involved. If linesmen are to become involved it needs to be from the start. Two very quick yellow cards mostly does the trick. Martin Sludden will always be remembered for one mistake, most unfortunate for him but it does not make him a bad ref either. His treatment was appalling.

Unfortunately no matter who ref was he would have struggled. Look folks no ref ever goes out to purposely make mistakes. Players are the same yet the ref gets awful abuse for very little. If a player makes a mistake he usually gets a shot at redemption but the poor ref does not. On yesterday a few errors were made. But they are not hanging offences by any means. Much of the problem on forums stems from people's perception of the rules or ignorance of them. Even the players as was shown when objecting to kick outs that stayed within the 21m line but travelled the required distance. Surely players should know this. A jersey pull too is neither a yellow nor black card on the first occasion but may be a yellow for a second Jersey tug. All told I can find very little wrong with ref yesterday bar a few errors but again 5/6 in every match is normal these days. On the subject I predicted Kinsella for the replay and Coldrick for the final.

Have to agree with some posters. Red card all day no matter the circumstances.  These committees need a shake up. I imagine a vote is taken around the table and the majority decision is taken. That's rather stupid in the face of very clear video evidence.