Dermot Earley eye gouging

Prop Joe

Intentional or not ??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMOxPEba7js

Meath's Kevin Reilly tweeted "Eye Gouging has no place in GAA. Expected more from such an experienced footballer and so called gentleman"

Mod Edit: Fixed Youtube video.

Tiernster7

Honestly think its not intentional

Clareman

I don't think that was intentional either

celt262

Kevin Reilly doesnt think it was unintentional.

Clareman

His twitter feed is here if anyone wants to debate it with him

https://twitter.com/#!/kevreilly1

Justin10

<mod snip>

If Early meant it after all these years playing the game, why now?
To me it looks intentional but have no time for Reilly at all. Reminds me a lot of Donal Vaughan

Hammer Archer

Don't think it was intentional (at least I really really hope it wasn't). But it was careless and dangerous and warranted a yellow at the very least. Yet we didn't even get a free for it.

Hammer Archer

Rochey18 wrote: »

<mod snip>

If Early meant it after all these years playing the game, why now?
To me it looks intentional but have no time for Reilly at all. Reminds me a lot of Donal Vaughan

First of all, it was Menton who it happened to.
And secondly, that's an absolutely disgraceful comment. The lad went off with blood in his eyes and could have been seriously and permanently injured but all you can say is "couldn't happen to a nicer fella".
I'll refrain from saying anything more as I'll probably be banned.

Clareman

Reminder folks not to make this personal about any players/officals, it should be possible to have a discussion without libellous remarks being made.

Radharc na Sleibhte

I dont think it was intentional in fairness, his eyes were on the ball all the time.
Only he knows.

breffni666

Yes intentional, we should be citing him, although that's from another code! We would be called sour if we had lost and raised the issue. Has no place in the game. Earley is a fine player but maybe losing a yard in his older years and this is the result.

Tom Joad

Doesn't look intentional to me - Earley for me is not that kind off player so am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. And from any recollections I have off seeing eye gouging in rugby its a blatant act and can be clearly seen - don't see that here.

On an aside I really detest this idea of players using twitter like this - why accuse a player over social media like this

Littlehorny

I'm from Meath and i don't think it was an intentionel eye gouge, Earley had not the time to line up a gouge on Reillys eye as they were both trying to line themselves up under a dropping ball. As the ball was coming in Reilly seems to be slipping and Earley cops this and pulls Reilly with his left hand accross the head to take the ball in his right hand. A free out for sure same as pushing a fella in the back or pulling his jersey under a dropping ball but to say he deliberatly targeted Reillys eyes with his fingers is too inconclusive judging by the video.

buckwheat

Really doubt it was intentional purely because it's Dermot Earley.

corny

I'd prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt but just before that when Reilly came on Earley him gave a lovely elbow in the chest. Bad blood between them?

Lapin

Definitely not intentional gouging, but a reckless challenge that should have merited a booking.

Not like Earley in all fairness.

Diabhal Beag

It was intentional but it's unusual to see Earley be the culprit. Have great respect for him but that's an element to football that I hate and seeing such a beloved player but in the centre of gouging is disappointing.

elefant

For facts' sake: The 'eye-gouge'wasn't on Reilly as some have indicated.

wonga77

Doesnt look intentional to me, we will never know really

markie29

not intentional for me either...and i also dont like players using social networks to make these feelings known in public....Louth players could face suspensions for making remarks about the ref in their game at the weekend.

Syferus

Insane stuff by the Meath player, never discount twitter's ability to make well-meaning people spout absolute drivel.

Both Dermot Snr. and Dermot Jnr. have been two of the most honest, fair and exemplary sportsmen you're likely to find in any sport, both were and are class personified. When Reilly has that family's track-record he can talk about sportsmanship.

'Till then - quiet, child.

whatnext

Syferus wrote: »

Insane stuff by the Meath player, never discount twitter's ability to make well-meaning people spout absolute drivel.

Both Dermot Snr. and Dermot Jnr. have been two of the most honest, fair and exemplary sportsmen you're likely to find in any sport, both were and are class personified. When Reilly has that family's track-record he can talk about sportsmanship.

'Till then - quiet, child.

What has his family got to do with this???? Every one has a father, the good and the bad.

Personally, like everyone else here, I don't know if it was deliberate or not. It was at a minimum wreckless, perhaps dangerous play. Whether it was deliberate or not becomes irrelevant in both instances

Diego Maradona

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

It was intentional but it's unusual to see Earley be the culprit. Have great respect for him but that's an element to football that I hate and seeing such a beloved player but in the centre of gouging is disappointing.

Have you been talking to Dermot? Has he told you he intentionally eye gouged Brian Menton?

I'm guessing no he hasn't so your post is bull!

You can clearly see he has eyes for the ball at all times!

This is a non story!

I'm surprised mods have left this crap open for discussion.

whatnext

Diego Maradona wrote: »

Have you been talking to Dermot? Has he told you he intentionally eye gouged Brian Menton?

I'm guessing no he hasn't so your post is bull!

You can clearly see he has eyes for the ball at all times!

This is a non story!

I'm surprised mods have left this crap open for discussion.

Have you been talking to Dermot? Has he told you he accidentally eye gouged Brian Menton?

I'm guessing no he hasn't so your post is bull!

You can clearly see he has hand in his face

Diego Maradona

whatnext wrote: »

Have you been talking to Dermot? Has he told you he accidentally eye gouged Brian Menton?

I'm guessing no he hasn't so your post is bull!

You can clearly see he has hand in his face

I play football and get plenty of hands in my face and the like.

I think the high ball coming in and the defender slipping caught Dermot out he reached his hand out to gauge where Menton was and to fend him off but caught him in the eye by accident.

whatnext

Diego Maradona wrote: »

I play football and get plenty of hands in my face and the like.

I think the high ball coming in and the defender slipping caught Dermot out he reached his hand out to gauge where Menton was and to fend him off but caught him in the eye by accident.

That's your opinion, you are entitled to that, it carries no more or no less weight than mine.

I accept his eyes were on the ball, but it was his hand that did the damage

Diego Maradona

whatnext wrote: »

That's your opinion, you are entitled to that, it carries no more or no less weight than mine.

I accept his eyes were on the ball, but it was his hand that did the damage

If his eyes were on the ball how would he be able to see Mentons eyes in order to "gouge" them?

whatnext

Diego Maradona wrote: »

If his eyes were on the ball how would he be able to see Mentons eyes in order to "gouge" them?

I'm sure even the most blinkered amongst us can accept that he knows the general layout of a persons face without having to look at it

forfcksake

Diego Maradona wrote: »

I play football and get plenty of hands in my face and the like.

I think the high ball coming in and the defender slipping caught Dermot out he reached his hand out to gauge where Menton was and to fend him off but caught him in the eye by accident.

Exactly . . Spot on!

Diego Maradona

whatnext wrote: »

I'm sure even the most blinkered amongst us can accept that he knows the general layout of a persons face without having to look at it

I don't accept that, it was too quick for it to be intentional even the ref didn't spot it or was there and protestation from the Meath lads.

Justin10

Reason I think he could of meant it was because of the damage he done. You would have to grab pretty hard.

If i feel a face im not going to put pressure or grab it.

whatnext

Diego Maradona wrote: »

I don't accept that, it was too quick for it to be intentional even the ref didn't spot it or was there and protestation from the Meath lads.

Your blinkered insistence that it was an accident and refusal to accept it could have been deliberate is as ridiculous as anyone insisting it was deliberate. Neither of us know for sure, but I'm sure you won't accept that.

As I have said before, I'm not sure either way, but I do believe it was wreckless and possibly even dangerous play. That's my opinion anyway

Diego Maradona

whatnext wrote: »

Your blinkered insistence that it was an accident and refusal to accept it could have been deliberate is as ridiculous as anyone insisting it was deliberate. Neither of us know for sure, but I'm sure you won't accept that.

As I have said before, I'm not sure either way, but I do believe it was wreckless and possibly even dangerous play. That's my opinion anyway

If it was dangerous play why don't we just tie players arms behind their backs incase some gets a finger in the eye. :rolleyes:

boynesider

I see a few posts mentioning that Dermot Earley is a gentleman and that he comes from a great GAA family. Those points are simply irrelevant. The eye-gouging allegation must be judged on the act alone with no other considerations, and hopefully this is what will happen if the authorities were to go any further with this (which I would doubt).

On the act itself, it was a filthy and vicious piece of play to put a hand into a mans face like that when he has his back turned to you. However, I think it is unlikely that he deliberately meant to get him in the eye, and even if it was intentional it would be almost impossible to prove with the available footage. So I don't think you can put it on the same level as some of the blatant eye-gouging that goes on in rugby.

On the other hand you could argue that if you claw at a mans face like that you run the obvious risk of making damaging contact with his eye, and therefore should be held fully responsible if that is what occurs. You could also argue that the force required by Earley to actually draw blood suggests that he knew what he was doing to some extent.

Either way, Dermot Earley doesn't come out of it looking too good. You can understand Reilly's annoyance at this happening to one of his young team mates as well so I wouldn't be too quick to criticize him.

Syferus

Akin to saying personality profiles shouldn't come into criminal cases. Nothing exists in a vacuum.

It wasn't intentional. Reilly is probably regretting even tweeting it, and if he's not he will.

Move on.

Diego Maradona

boynesider wrote: »

I see a few posts mentioning that Dermot Earley is a gentleman and that he comes from a great GAA family. Those points are simply irrelevant. The eye-gouging allegation must be judged on the act alone with no other considerations, and hopefully this is what will happen if the authorities were to go any further with this (which I would doubt).

On the act itself, it was a filthy and vicious piece of play to put a hand into a mans face like that when he has his back turned to you. However, I think it is unlikely that he deliberately meant to get him in the eye, and even if it was intentional it would be almost impossible to prove with the available footage. So I don't think you can put it on the same level as some of the blatant eye-gouging that goes on in rugby.

On the other hand you could argue that if you claw at a mans face like that you run the obvious risk of making damaging contact with his eye, and therefore should be held fully responsible if that is what occurs. You could also argue that the force required by Earley to actually draw blood suggests that he knew what he was doing to some extent.

Either way, Dermot Earley doesn't come out of it looking too good. You can understand Reilly's annoyance at this happening to one of his young team mates as well so I wouldn't be too quick to criticize him.

Absolute tripe!

To Alcohol

Total accident. Diego's account of it is spot on so no need to say anything further other than Kevin Reilly has some neck on him to post that on twitter. He should do himself and the ethos of the GAA a favor and remove it in a hurry.

I think he's trying to pull a fast one and use the negative vide against Kildare to make up a story that isn't there to further damage the name of Kildare.

Thank you Kevin but we're well capable of doing that ourselves.

bruschi

no way was that intentional. that replay there is in slow motion, but in a split second from Menton falling to the ground, whilst Early is looking at the ball, he was able to pinpoint accuracy get him in the eye. It was an unfortunate accident, and it was a free, as Early did shove him before the ball came. But to call it eye gouging is sensationalist crap of the highest order.

jonniebgood1

Diego Maradona wrote: »

If his eyes were on the ball how would he be able to see Mentons eyes in order to "gouge" them?

Eh- he was 3 foot in front of his head- how would he not see Menton. Most people if they see the back of someones head know where the eye might be. The video itself is not conclusive but your defence of it with points like that quoted show a real lack of understanding of what can go on on a football field. I am not saying that he did this intentionally but to say that it cannot be questioned shows a lack of objectivity on your part.

i.e. you can't discuss wrongdoing if its my team!

Diego Maradona wrote: »

I'm surprised mods have left this <mod snip> thread open for discussion.

DARK-KNIGHT

Obviously unintentional, no way would dermot mean to do that to anyone!!!

Another thread with only one intention I fear!!

Honestly though dermot preaches to kids to respect opposing players my nephew met him at a cúl camp and he was talking bout playing safe etc.. Dermot knows better than anyone injuries are a terrible thing no way did he mean that. Although was dangerous Meath should have gotten a free from it!! Good redding again:(

premierstone

Whether it was intentional or not is almost impossible to know, unless you are Dermot Earley of course, personally I dont think it was ever he's intention to target the eyes, but the claim from Kildare fans here that the incident doesnt even merit discussion and is some sort of anti-Kildare agenda is boll*x of the highest order, seriously no-one cares that much about Kildare to resort to that.

Roger Sterling

Looks to me to have happened too quick for it to be intentional. Also kept his eye on the dropping ball the whole way rather than the player. Impossible to prove either way though, so ultimately nothing can be done.

PaddyCar

martin o'connell (also from a respectable family) had his eyes on the ball when he caught brian doohers head in 96. people wanted him locked up for that. cant help but feel if it had of been other way round and a meath man gouged dermot early there would be uproar..

keane2097

I'm utterly baffled that this could be thought of as even possibly intentional.

DARK-KNIGHT

Ok he meant to do it so awful <mod snip> person isn't he?

Model footballer and icon all of a sudden at end of career decides to gouge someone's eyes &#55357;&#56883;

jonniebgood1

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Ok he meant to do it so awful <mod snip> person isn't he?

<<<Someone is as evidenced

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

Model footballer and icon all of a sudden at end of career decides to gouge someone's eyes

Zidane so.

jive

Not sure if trolling or if some people genuinely think that was intentional. He clearly has his eyes on the ball and there is no 'gouging'. At no point is Earley looking at the man and in fact when his hand strikes the Meath lad's eye it is at about belly button height. If that was intentional it was a very high standard of eye gouging because he:

1) never looks at him and always had his eye on the ball
2) does it in the blink of an eye ( )
3) does it from behind looking into the sky while Meath lad is pretty much on his knees

To say it's intentional is laughable. Anyone with any sense could tell that that is just an unfortunate accident. I have no affliation to Meath / Kildare and fúcking hate eye gouging, but eye gouging that incident is not despite what was said on twitter (which was retarded by the player, imo).

corny

I glanced at it the first time but since this thread has rumbled on i thought i'd take a better look. If it was intentional then Dermot Earley is a terrible gouger.;) He pulls his forehead back with the palm of his hand.

For the people who think otherwise this is eye gouging.

DARK-KNIGHT

Twitter my <mod edit> bottom

What a <snip> he is..

Obviously not intentional

Clareman

Lets limit the language and name calling folks please (had some reported posts).

jonniebgood1

Clareman wrote: »

Lets limit the language and name calling folks please (had some reported posts).

I bet Dermot wouldnt call anyone bad names ...:pac:

Thats a joke by the way before anyone jumps on me!