Tiernan Kelly Incident

That's where it all starts alright. Verbals are part and parcel of many games but when unnecessary contact is made between players in order for one to goad the other, that needs a red card. Either when the ball is out of play or initiating 'off the ball' carry on when in play. Managers wouldn't be long in stamping it out then.

I think this is different from the Fahy incident because Armagh, and presumably Galway also, should be expecting multiple players to get cited after yesterday's incident. Just to be clear this isn't a defence of what Fahy did.

My suggestion that Armagh preempt any action from Croke Park by punishing Kelly themselves was based purely around the (very cynical as I've already said) idea that if the board and McGeeney take some sort of action to publicly show that they are taking what happened seriously then it gives them a better footing when it comes to appealing any other suspensions that might come out of yesterdays match.

At the moment I expect Kelly to get some form of action taken against him and that the GAA will try to hit him with the harshest punishment they can. The images are conclusive provided they get the paperwork right and given the sheer amount of attention it's garnered I'd imagine the GAA will be extra diligent about making charges stick. Best chance he has of potentially getting away with a lighter punishment is for Armagh to put something on the table first.

Clearly they must feel differently in Down.

How long of a ban did McMahon get in 2015?

If I looked at the video again I could name 10-20 players who contributed to that melee, i.e. card offences in category 3 which merit one match suspensions. Apologies if I'm misunderstanding you, but you seem to be espousing a position that's been institutionalised over the years to tolerate this kind of nonsense and hence you're preconditioned to not want to punish anyone in case you miss one of the perpetrators.

one match (in the following year's league)

his gauge was in the All-Ireland final

in both hurling and football frontal barges or hits into the jaw and side of the head dressed up as attempted shoulders is something that needs to be seriously addressed. Very dangerous stuff

Hard to imagine Galway having a team for the semi-final if the "contributing to a melee" is the standard as applied to the two players red carded. Unless the GAA fudges and claims this meant it was already dealt with by the referee.

Yes, the shoulder charge should be banned. It is extremely difficult to execute a bang on shoulder to shoulder charge, most miss. It’s basically used as an excuse to intentionally injure players. I have seen too many broken collar bones and head injuries over the years. If it was banned the refs job would be much simpler.

shoulders are allowed in soccer but you never ever ever see this type of 'tackle'.

some other notables - Lar Corbett vs Waterford, Richie Hogan vs Tipp, John Small last year.

Hurling is fast going down the football route as a possession game, hence so many throw balls and overcarrying. Some effort was made in the League to clamp down but come championship it was mainly forgotten, or ignored. The Munster Final typified this where the ref ignored way too much fouling.

As a Galway fan I just want this to be over now. He's already had his trial by social media which is way worse than any punishment. Would far rather be talking about Rain's equalizer or McDaid's equalizer, two of the best moments in recent GAA history. Politicians getting involved on the back of this would sicken your hole

Excatly. And then you look at the Taoiseach coming out spouting shite about it on the news. Deal with the Gouging and let the GAA get their **** together to stop the off the ball stuff that is going on during the games for a start which contribute to the pushing and shoving afterwards

Surely that is a precendent for this case then?

It is mad how their wasnt more outcry over that incident when you consider this one. It was far more calculated than this one to my mind, and he came out denying it happened afterwards.

In all honesty, there is more eyegouging going on in the tackle than the gaa have ever been willing to admit to. Ive seen it happen 5 or 6 times at least. Its been caught on replays and nobody ever addressed it in commentary.

I agree. Comer was rightly booked for mouthing at Rafferty after a Galway score. Any blatant mouthing or antagonizing needs to be dealt with immediately. The Armagh sub with the glasses who came on went straight into digging, shouldering and mouthing at Finnerty. Again, he should have seen yellow. Its a very GAA occurrence that should be consigned to the dustbin. I know of no other sport where you can run on, start thumping your direct opponent and its regarded as acceptable. Its even accepted in underage. Lads sent on to intimidate skillful smaller players.

Everything off the ball should be dealt with. No need to stop play. Ball goes dead, the umpires or linemen inform the ref via head set and a yellow or black in given. It will take no more than 2 games for it to resolve itself. In the case of group incidences, if your team are involved in a 2nd incident within 2years they get thrown out of the competition.