Monaghan v Derry

[Winnie Peg]

The punishment handed down to Thomas Freeman is a disgrace. Compared to the punishment given to Mullan and Doherty, it is a travesty of justice.

[cusack og]

The punishment handed down to Thomas Freeman is a disgrace. Compared to the punishment given to Mullan and Doherty, it is a travesty of justice.

I think in the end it came down to the fact that both Doherty and Mullan were provoked before their actions and this was proven using video evidence by former All-Ireland winning footballer and well respected RTE Sunday Game analyst Joe Brolly. In Freeman's case it seemed that his headbutt on Kevin McGuckin was in no way provoked and therefore any appeal for a reduction in suspension was rejected.

Having said all that Freeman is a class act of a player and his loss will be a huge one especially considering how poor the monaghan full forward line were against armagh. Plus it doesn't seem that there is any strength in depth there at all, we know about Hanratty's limitations and ur fella Meegan looked way off the pace. Suppose you couldn't rule out Corey being fired in up front at number 14. From a Derry point of view I think it will take moments of brilliance again from individuals such as Eoin Bradley and Kielt if we are to get over the line in this one.

[GrandMasterFlash]

The punishment handed down to Thomas Freeman is a disgrace. Compared to the punishment given to Mullan and Doherty, it is a travesty of justice.

I think in the end it came down to the fact that both Doherty and Mullan were provoked before their actions and this was proven using video evidence by former All-Ireland winning footballer and well respected RTE Sunday Game analyst Joe Brolly. In Freeman's case it seemed that his headbutt on Kevin McGuckin was in no way provoked and therefore any appeal for a reduction in suspension was rejected.

Having said all that Freeman is a class act of a player and his loss will be a huge one especially considering how poor the monaghan full forward line were against armagh. Plus it doesn't seem that there is any strength in depth there at all, we know about Hanratty's limitations and ur fella Meegan looked way off the pace. Suppose you couldn't rule out Corey being fired in up front at number 14. From a Derry point of view I think it will take moments of brilliance again from individuals such as Eoin Bradley and Kielt if we are to get over the line in this one.

1. The complete match was provocation. Freeman was getting up from the ground after a tussle with McGuckian and another Derry player = provocation. Doherty swung the boot at Dick Clerkins ankles unprovoked and shouldered McQuaid in the chest unprovoked so I don't see the provocation argument at all I have to say.

2. There in lies a bigger problem than any of the on-field antics in my opinion. Mr Joe Brolly, the Judge and jury himself. He sat on national TV and came on national radio and unopposedly criticised Monaghan and worst of all individual players meanwhile he's preparing a case for the defense of Fergal Doherty. There's nothing fair or sportsman like about that despite what he attempted to dress it up as. It's a clear abuse of poistion of power and RTE should reconsider his position as an 'impartial analyst/pundit'.

  As Joe Brolly and the legal types would utter, I rest my case.

[ONeill]

I think Derry will run out handy winners here in the end. Last week's doggedness is sure to take its toll on Banty's side whilst Derry aren't as bad as they showed against Tyrone. Doherty's return and the Bradley resurrection means all the positive pointers are in Derry's favour. Monaghan struggled for scores without Freeman but were lucky they came up against an abysmal outfit. They'll not cope this time.

Derry by 6.

[GrandMasterFlash]

I see the Clones Cyclone (aka Marty Duffy) has been handed the task of mediating on Saturday..

[Bensars]

I see the Clones Cyclone (aka Marty Duffy) has been handed the task of mediating on Saturday..

I wonder what Colm o Rourkes views on this appointment will be?

He previous stated that this whistler was to small in stature to ref a mans game

[SidelineKick]

1. The complete match was provocation. Freeman was getting up from the ground after a tussle with McGuckian and another Derry player = provocation. Doherty swung the boot at Dick Clerkins ankles unprovoked and shouldered McQuaid in the chest unprovoked so I don't see the provocation argument at all I have to say.

2. There in lies a bigger problem than any of the on-field antics in my opinion. Mr Joe Brolly, the Judge and jury himself. He sat on national TV and came on national radio and unopposedly criticised Monaghan and worst of all individual players meanwhile he's preparing a case for the defense of Fergal Doherty. There's nothing fair or sportsman like about that despite what he attempted to dress it up as. It's a clear abuse of poistion of power and RTE should reconsider his position as an 'impartial analyst/pundit'.

  As Joe Brolly and the legal types would utter, I rest my case.

I take it you actually weren't at the game? Freeman was acting the maggot all day, have never seen him like this so dont know why he decided to act like this against Derry.  As for Doc kicking Dick unprovoked, I will not even bother going down that road, you're clearly having a laugh.

[GrandMasterFlash]

Listen fella - I was at the game but did not see Doc swiping at Clerkin. I am (like the legal counsel and Joe Brolly) basing my evidence on the TV footage - the same TV footage as you were presented with. Freeman was hardly on his own in 'acting the maggot' all day. No one is suggesting that either team is free of sin, not by a long shot. The fact remains that the two Derry lads actually struck and got four weeks and the Monaghan man attempted to strike and got 8 weeks. I'm hardly blaming you personally for this but it's wrong, end of story.

Maybe we should get McGuckian to write a nicely worded letter on fragrant paper to the DRA/CAC/ABC/RUC/PSNI and any other quango kangaroo court that exists within the sport categorically stating that Freeman didn't actually strike with the head.

  It's the interpretation of the rules that I take umbrage with.

[SidelineKick]

Listen fella - I was at the game but did not see Doc swiping at Clerkin. I am (like the legal counsel and Joe Brolly) basing my evidence on the TV footage - the same TV footage as you were presented with. Freeman was hardly on his own in 'acting the maggot' all day. No one is suggesting that either team is free of sin, not by a long shot. The fact remains that the two Derry lads actually struck and got four weeks and the Monaghan man attempted to strike and got 8 weeks. I'm hardly blaming you personally for this but it's wrong, end of story.

Maybe we should get McGuckian to write a nicely worded letter on fragrant paper to the DRA/CAC/ABC/RUC/PSNI and any other quango kangaroo court that exists within the sport categorically stating that Freeman didn't actually strike with the head.

  It's the interpretation of the rules that I take umbrage with.

Dont like being call fella, but I'll let you away with it, this time.

I agree with the poor interpretation of the rules.  To me this goes back to the Tommy McGuigan incident. I think if he had have got 8 weeks then Mullan would have accepted the same. Personally I thought it warranted 8 weeks.  Freeman's is certainly very harsh and although I say he was acting the maggot I dont think he deserved such a lengthy suspension. Doc and Clerkin were at it all day, Doc just happened to be caught. If you're caught then you can have no complaints.

[JMohan]

Grandmaster - you should be angry with your own manager and county board.

Banty and Co. strolled up to the CCCCCCCCC with no legal council and demanded the ban be lifted completely - how arrogant and idiotic is that?
When that didn't work they went looking for loopholes and technicalities to get off ....

Derry CB on the other hand went up with properly advised legal representation and video evidence and said "We're sorry ... there was some provocation and our boys reacted wrong, they apologise, won't happen again, and can we please have the ban reduced a bit we think it's a bit harsh?"


Which was the smartest option when all is said an done?

[Keyser soze]

As i said earlier I think Freemans ban was harsh. Was happy Doc & BM got their's reduced to 4 weeks, probably about fair, if TF had got the same I'm sure everybody would have gone home happy.

I don't think either side has much leeway to be giving out about the other being dirty, we were both at it, some got caught, some got away, we've all been there. saturday is a new day.

As regards the criticism of Brolly in this matter. Had he been asked to represent Tommy Freeman at this hearing i am sure Joe would have gladly gone to bat for him with the same degree of professionalism as he did for the 2 Derry boys. It is also likely that he would have got a similar result. If you's didn't

[Maguire01]

As regards the criticism of Brolly in this matter. Had he been asked to represent Tommy Freeman at this hearing i am sure Joe would have gladly gone to bat for him with the same degree of professionalism as he did for the 2 Derry boys. It is also likely that he would have got a similar result. If you's didn't

I don't believe he gave an answer when he was asked if he'd defend Clerkin, if it had been required and he had been asked, so I wouldn't be so sure on that one.

[peterquaife]

The punishment handed down to Thomas Freeman is a disgrace. Compared to the punishment given to Mullan and Doherty, it is a travesty of justice.

I think in the end it came down to the fact that both Doherty and Mullan were provoked before their actions and this was proven using video evidence by former All-Ireland winning footballer and well respected RTE Sunday Game analyst Joe Brolly. In Freeman's case it seemed that his headbutt on Kevin McGuckin was in no way provoked and therefore any appeal for a reduction in suspension was rejected.

Having said all that Freeman is a class act of a player and his loss will be a huge one especially considering how poor the monaghan full forward line were against armagh. Plus it doesn't seem that there is any strength in depth there at all, we know about Hanratty's limitations and ur fella Meegan looked way off the pace. Suppose you couldn't rule out Corey being fired in up front at number 14. From a Derry point of view I think it will take moments of brilliance again from individuals such as Eoin Bradley and Kielt if we are to get over the line in this one.

1. The complete match was provocation.

not to go over old ground, but the entire match fell to sh!t discipline wise after Dessie Mone punched Paddy Bradley a few times in the kidney region before the ball was even thrown in, this is what Monaghan had set out to bring to the table

[JMohan]

As i said earlier I think Freemans ban was harsh. Was happy Doc & BM got their's reduced to 4 weeks, probably about fair, if TF had got the same I'm sure everybody would have gone home happy.

I don't think either side has much leeway to be giving out about the other being dirty, we were both at it, some got caught, some got away, we've all been there. saturday is a new day.

As regards the criticism of Brolly in this matter. Had he been asked to represent Tommy Freeman at this hearing i am sure Joe would have gladly gone to bat for him with the same degree of professionalism as he did for the 2 Derry boys. It is also likely that he would have got a similar result. If you's didn't

Did he charge DCB?

[JohnDenver]

As regards the criticism of Brolly in this matter. Had he been asked to represent Tommy Freeman at this hearing i am sure Joe would have gladly gone to bat for him with the same degree of professionalism as he did for the 2 Derry boys. It is also likely that he would have got a similar result. If you's didn't

I don't believe he gave an answer when he was asked if he'd defend Clerkin, if it had been required and he had been asked, so I wouldn't be so sure on that one.

When and by whom was he asked this question about Clerkin?  Dick didn't need defending anyway, sure he done nothing wrong.....