“FEIGNING OF INJURIES, exaggerated diving, trying to get players sent off, management on the sideline getting involved with players.”
Former Meath All-Ireland winner Colm O’Rourke accused Tyrone of the above offences on The Sunday Game last night as he and fellow panellist Ciaran Whelan went to town on the Red Hands.
O’Rourke and Whelan didn’t hold back in their criticism, in a filleting that is sure to increase pre-existing tensions between RTÉ and Tyrone boss Mickey Harte.
“I have sort of always thought that maybe there was too much made of this from Tyrone but it’s beginning to follow them around like a bad smell now, this cynical play,” said O’Rourke.
“They brought it to new lows (on Saturday). We have Conor Meyler being sent off for dragging a fella down, trying to get a person sent off,” added O’Rourke, as a number of clips were shown.
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“And then we have the (Sean) Cavanagh show in terms of diving, Justin McMahon getting involved, Colm Cavanagh coming up…it wasn’t all on the one side, here we have young (Connor) McAliskey lying down, feigning injury.
“Then as soon as the ball is transferred over to Tyrone he’s (McAliskey) back up and running into a position. Mattie Donnelly taking Darren Hughes out of it…
“I have always felt that Tyrone may have been over criticised…but here we see Ronan McNamee punching a player (Conor McManus) clearly there.
“Then we see Sean Cavanagh getting a slight dig from Conor McManus and falling like a sack of spuds.”
The infamous Tiernan McCann episode that led to Darren Hughes being sent off provoked a fierce response from O’Rourke and ex-Dublin star Whelan.
“This is dreadful stuff from Tiernan McCann he should be ashamed of himself,” said O’Rourke.
“It’s appalling stuff, there’s no doubt about it, it’s appalling stuff,” Whelan agreed.
“We’ve all done stuff maybe we haven’t been proud of but there has to be a bit of honesty and integrity on behalf of Tyrone because I don’t think they’re doing themselves proud as a county, I think they’re letting themselves down.
“It’s not just us picking on them, this is a fairly widespread view that they’re dragging games down to a level.
“I would think there are people in Tyrone that are sitting back and saying they’re not proud of that.
“They showed in the noughties that they can play football and can play football very well.
“But this is a trend that started against Meath a couple of years ago. Particularly in the last ten or 15 minutes, they’re very cynical.”
O’Rourke continued: “Feigning of injuries, exaggerated diving, trying to get players sent off, management on the sideline getting involved with players.
“The CCC could call in some of these players and charge them with bringing the game into disrepute because they do it if a player says something about a referee.
“If Tiernan McCann was suspended for the All-Ireland semi-final, he would soon learn the error of his ways, or any of the other players that got involved in any of the incidents.
“It will come back to bite Tyrone. Some day Sean Cavanagh will be tackled and he should get a free and a ref will say ‘to hell with that, he’s always diving.’ This is what’s going to happen…they have cried wolf too often, it’s not on what they’re doing.
“The management of the Tyrone team should sort it out or the CCC should sort it out. It’s a blight on the game, it’s sullying the good football that Tyrone are playing.”
Whelan urged McCann to issue an apology for Saturday’s incident.
“If I was sitting in his shoes I’d come out, sweep it under the carpet and apologise. Listen, yes, bad sportsmanship, I shouldn’t have done it, somebody got sent off as a result of it.
“Hold your hand up, show a bit of honesty and integrity and say ‘I was wrong.’ It will be interesting to see if it happens.
“Tyrone knew they could press Monaghan’s buttons and suck Monaghan into a dogfight.”
Fermanagh boss Pete McGrath agreed that a number of ‘dark arts’ are now prevalent in Gaelic Football.
“Diving, simulating injury, trying to get players black carded, yellow carded, red carded.
“Intercounty senior players have to accept that they’ve got a responsibility, every time they take to the field.
“They have to play to win honesty and fairly but they’ve got a bigger mandate in terms of the image they project of the game, particularly to younger players watching that.”
Anyone who says my Ma and my Da should definitely play for Ireland.
@Logan Shepherd: Zinger right there .. and before 9am!
@Logan Shepherd: yep. And besides Ireland raised you…the school system, the health system, the social and cultural system…playing for Ireland is a way to say thank you. I think it is the right thing to do.
@Arya: the same for Declan rice except England raised him.
@Arya: by that logic half of our senior team shouldn’t play for ireland
@Eoin Murphy: but they have chosen to. They are or were not in a dilemma. He is and I am giving him one other point to help him make a choice.
@Eoin Murphy: exactly. And they shouldn’t
@Logan Shepherd: was the idea of tbe headline I’m pretty sure
@Logan Shepherd: was the idea of making that the headline I’m pretty sure
@Arya: He is not in dilemma at all. I can assure you that. His hope and prayer is to player for the first team That I am so sure of because I know where his heart is. He just needs to keep on working hard and scoring goals. That is all.
@Arya: He is not in dilemma at all. I can assure you that. His hope and prayer is to player for the first team. That I am so sure of because I know where his heart is. He just needs to keep on working hard and scoring goals. That is all.
@Earl A: if he’s good I hope he plays for us we need good players, regardless of where you come from or what nationality one of your family members is or whatever if your a talented footballer and willing to log all the miles m, stay in all the borderline serviceable hotels the FAI cheaply crafts out for you, put in the hours on the training ground, put aside club worries and sacrifice blood, sweat and tears for the jersey you can play for Ireland
Seems like a level headed kid. Wish him every success
Southampton is noted for its underage coaching and the lad finds out his weaknesses when he is leaving and only after asking? Something wrong there.
@kieran horgan: I’m sure he was given similar pointers as the year went on, didn’t see enough of an improvement or progression and then just came to a decision at the end of the season and cut him loose.
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: If you are so sure, then you must have inside information from southampton. Can you please share what you know? As an experienced person in football matters, I can tell you that clubs will tell you anything if they dont want you anymore. The most important thing is for Jonathan to continue to work harder and find a team where he will enjoy his football. Hope they do well at the euros as well.
@Earl A: bruce knows everything earl.
@Earl A: I just wouldn’t be so suspect about it is all I’m saying lads. Don’t get the aul laced knickers in a twisht! It would be my laymans logical assumption. This happens all the time. A young lad isn’t meetubgbthe expectations of management…they cut him loose. What’s to question?!
@Bruce van der Gutschmitzer: meeting the
Follow his heart.. what’s meant for you wont pass you by
@Jacqui Curtis-owens:
A truer story was never told.
@Jacqui Curtis-owens: namaste
@Jacqui Curtis-owens: Jennifer Aniston did
I’m genuinely stunned Southampton released him. He is a really top talent, with a strong presence, good eye for goal and being captained by Ireland shows leadership qualities. I really hope he gets a good club and continues to do well.
@Madra: we need all the players we can get
My ma….. Irish…
Not a good sign for the future being released by Southampton
@Michael Collins: well Southampton are the team that let the likes of Walcott and Bale leave so being shipped out of their isn’t always a bad sign
@Jake Kelly: they sold Bale and Walcott for massive money at the time. They didn’t release them for not being good enough
A bit cocky thinking he is too good for srfc
@tubbsyf: dont know how you came to that conclusion from reading this article
@Hugh Jass: Exactly. ““Not to sign, purely to keep fit,” he adds. “I’m keeping my options open at the moment, just concentrating on the Euros.” That doesn’t indicate thing one way or the other. It’s just a statement of fact.
@Damien Hawe: that’s to do with Rovers. He is focusing on playing in the UK or abroad. I think that’s fair enough. Plus Rovers are based in Tallaght where he is from.
He’s going to play in green one way or another.
That young lads only comment should be,right now im unattached, Im happy to give my all for Ireland who deem me good enough at the moment.judging by this article he may not be up to playing for either at senior level.
No dilemma. If he’s any good he’s Irish
Forget Nigeria Ireland is the only country for you….. COYBIG!
Next Messi?
In other words if Ireland continue to be sh/te at senior level he’ll switch to Nigeria. Let’s be honest who could blame him
Lets have a looj at him first,we might have to please his ma…
Why was my comment deleted by the Journal?
@Wild Goose: Hate to break to you, it was kinda racist. “His mother should be deported!”
If he has to even come out with this well then maybe it’s time he went Home !!!!!
@Alan McDonagh: Fortunately, Tallaght is home for him. So you may deport him to D24. :)