LAST UPDATE | 20 Feb 2018
CORK CITY MANAGER John Caulfield has said that footage of the incident which saw Graham Cummins sent off against St Patrick’s Athletic justifies the striker’s belief that he was unfairly dismissed during Friday’s 3-2 victory for the Leesiders at Richmond Park.
Having scored to put his side 2-0 up in the opening game of their title defence, Cummins received a straight red card in the 26th minute of his Premier Division debut for City for an apparent elbow on Pat’s defender Kevin Toner.
But the highlights of the game, which were broadcast during last night’s Soccer Republic show on RTÉ, suggested that the 30-year-old may have had cause for complaint after receiving his marching orders. Referee Rob Harvey appeared to be advised by one of his assistants before brandishing the red card.
Reflecting on the incident this afternoon, John Caulfield acknowledged the challenge that faces officials when forced to make crucial decisions in the heat of the moment and without the benefit of television replays. However, the City manager is adamant that Cummins shouldn’t have been sent off.
“The first thing is that it’s always difficult for referees because they just see it [as it happens],” Caulfield said. “Between them and the linesmen they have to decide.
“We were shocked. We didn’t think it was a card at all on the night. And obviously we have our own video as well. But I think in hindsight everyone can see that it probably didn’t even warrant a card.”
'There has to be intent as to whether a player is going to go out and do that to another player. The unfortunate side of it is [Kevin] Toner got a knock in the face, but that's the game.' pic.twitter.com/PolQEYsVei
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) February 19, 2018
Irrespective of one’s view of the incident based on the footage which has subsequently emerged, Cummins must now serve a minimum one-match ban. That rules him out of Friday night’s meeting with one of his former clubs, Waterford.
Cummins, who returned for a second spell with Cork City over the winter after leaving Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone, could potentially be dealt a longer suspension, although Caulfield is hopeful that no further action will be taken.
“We have the appeal tomorrow so we have to go to that,” he said. “We just hope that it’s no more than a one-match [suspension]. The rules within the league state that you have to serve a one-match for a red card immediately, which is disappointing, because it’s probably a rule that needs to be adjusted if there’s a clear error after being made.
“We’ll wait and see, but certainly from our own point of view, even on the night we were extremely disappointed with the decision. We’ll deal with that tomorrow.”
The City boss added: “When you go to independent tribunals it’s hard to gauge. But I think if common sense applies, with the video evidence that we’ve had and what was on TV last night, with what people have said, I think everyone can see… if that’s the scenario in every match you’d have five or six fellas sent off for jumping for headers. It’s quite clear that there was absolutely no intent, even if there was contact, so we’ll just wait and see.”
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Fitzgibbon but I’m biased. Think he was the exceptiona youngl hurler in 2018
@Ger Buckley: Hayes but I’m biased, Fitzgibbon is some talent but Hayes performance in the final and not just his points…
Fitzgibbon by a mile. Hayes exceptional in the final, but over the course of the whole championship Fitzgibbon has to win.
Hayes performance in the final gives him a short head verdict over Fitzgibbon
@Tim Brennan: Over the full Championship, Fitzgibbon was much better.
@MK76: ok I’ll drop the distance to a nose- he’s good but u21 final was a let down and he should have been sent off – Hayes has the medal and to the victor the laurels
@Tim Brennan: U21 doesn’t count Tim.
Kyle Hayes, he drove Limerick to win an All Ireland, he was MOTM by a country mile. He will be a future cv and captain for Limerick. No disrespect but Coleman and Fitzgibbon were part of a Cork team that should never have lost the under 21 final, they were both poor and went missing in the game.
@Fergus McGrath: under 21 final does not have relevance to this.
@Fergus McGrath: I think they were too overconfident in the 21 final. They were totally out hurled by a quicker and better prepared Tipp team who admittedly underperformed in the 21 Munster final. Hayes all the way on this one.
Easily Fitzgibbon. Great hurler. Great year.
I’m biased too but Kyle Hayes’ display in the Final was special. When the Limerick scores were drying up he had a major say and he was still hurling fearlessly in those last eight minutes when the ’94 virus or tiredness was gripping many of the team. Such an athlete.
Love to see Hayes win but wouldn’t begrudge either him or Fitzgibbon winning it out, both had a tremendous year and did themselves and their county pround.
Kyle Hayes deserves it
I’m biased too but Hayes just ahead of Fitzgibbon , I think Coleman was well below the standard he set last year.
cmon Flembomb – no Darryl Murphy?
Cmon Flembomb – No Daryl Murphy?