All Ireland Senior Football Championships 2017 - Read Mod Note Post #1

Dyr

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Muddying the waters like this doesn't really help anyone. Posting still photos of, if I remember correctly, the referee and Mayo player putting their arms around each other in conversation and trying to intimate that it's the same as what Connolly did on Saturday doesn't help Dublin's case. It just makes it look like desperate deflection.
It's a bit baffling that some Dublin fans want to constantly bring up Mayo and Kerry incidents that have absolutely nothing to do with the incident.

I'm just following the logic of lads like Django who are saying the rule is black and white: you lay a hand on an official and you're banned for 12 weeks

Either they amend their logic or explain why the Altar Boy wasn't being hounded for interfering with Deegan

At this rate a 12 week suspension for Connolly would be a blessing in disguise because it's the only thing that will keep him out of trouble until the semis :eek:

OldMrBrennan83

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BonnieSituation

I haven't seen too much defending of Dermo from my fellow Metropolitans. Personally, any reference to pass misdeeds should be ignored, by those of a Mayo, Armagh or Dub... Connolly broke the rules and should be done for it. And if he's not it will completely bring the disciplinary procedures into (further) disrepute.

He was on edge all day and spent a lot of the second half manhandling the Carlow no. 2 who had the "temerity" to wind him up. I'm sick of him.

km79

BonnieSituation wrote: »

I haven't seen too much defending of Dermo from my fellow Metropolitans. Personally, any reference to pass misdeeds should be ignored, by those of a Mayo, Armagh or Dub... Connolly broke the rules and should be done for it. And if he's not it will completely bring the disciplinary procedures into (further) disrepute.

He was on edge al day and spent a lot of the second half manhandling the Carlow no. 2 who had the "temerity" to wind him up. I'm sick of him.

I get the feeling a lot of dubs are now
Sick of all the drama he brings when in truth he hasn't backed it up for the past few years

BonnieSituation

km79 wrote: »

I get the feeling a lot of dubs are now
Sick of all the drama he brings when in truth he hasn't backed it up for the past few years

Precisely. I was kinda hoping he'd get black-carded at one stage. When you get to that stage you have to wonder about players like him.

Bonniedog

He should be cut a bit of slack too. Not in relation to the incident for which he deserves a sanction, but too many too quick to overlook what a great player he has been. Without doubt he has lost some of that both with Vinnies and Dublin but obviously Gavin regards him as still worth having on the premises. Although I get the impression that last Saturday might have been a bit of a trial, which might explain Connolly's attitude and frustration as he did not play well, and no one knows it better than himself.

AGC

km79 wrote: »

I get the feeling a lot of dubs are now
Sick of all the drama he brings when in truth he hasn't backed it up for the past few years

I get the feeling a lot of people are sick of the crap that is posted about him and couldn't be bothered engaging.

Some of the comments about worrying for him when his career is over and psychologists are laughable.

Jayop

I didn't notice anything like that here really tbh.

Personally I think he's just a bit of an asshole. His interview with Colm Parkinson had him coming across as a bit of a twat with a massive chip on his shoulder, and he plays like that too.

Tombo2001

Bonniedog wrote: »

He should be cut a bit of slack too. Not in relation to the incident for which he deserves a sanction, but too many too quick to overlook what a great player he has been. Without doubt he has lost some of that both with Vinnies and Dublin but obviously Gavin regards him as still worth having on the premises. Although I get the impression that last Saturday might have been a bit of a trial, which might explain Connolly's attitude and frustration as he did not play well, and no one knows it better than himself.

I'd say that's open to question.

It has to be weighed up against the fallout if he was cut from the panel. Might be lesser of two evils.

PressRun

Don't think there was much in the incident, but the rules are the rules and after they've thrown the book at the Tipperary lad, it's hard to see how they can justify letting Connolly off the hook.

I have wondered why Gavin continues to indulge him to the extent that he does though. He's a red/black card waiting to happen nearly all the time at this stage. I don't think his ability outweighs his volatility anymore.

Bonniedog

PressRun wrote: »

Don't think there was much in the incident, but the rules are the rules and after they've thrown the book at the Tipperary lad, it's hard to see how they can justify letting Connolly off the hook.

I have wondered why Gavin continues to indulge him to the extent that he does though. He's a red/black card waiting to happen nearly all the time at this stage. I don't think his ability outweighs his volatility anymore.

Well, Saturday might be seen as giving him a chance to get back in the groove. His last several games including with Vinnies have ended with him making a difference for the wrong reasons. Grabbing the ball from Kilkenny against Mayo and kicking for a point rather than playing down the clock was just criminal.

I doubt that DCB will appeal although it is rare that anyone doesn't, even just for form's sake! I hope they don't.

Jayop

I've been saying it for soccer and I think the same for top level GAA matches that the refs should be miked up. I think automatically once players know that even giving a ref verbals or swearing at them will induce a ban then none of this type of nonsense will go ahead.

That showing a ref respect will have to then filter down to the club game where being a ref/linesman/umpire can be bloody dangerous. We've examples in every county of lads getting thumps from players and fans.

iDave

12 weeks confirmed. Proper order.

BonnieSituation

iDave wrote: »

12 weeks confirmed. Proper order.

Yup.

Hopefully no appeal.

OldMrBrennan83

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BonnieSituation

Patww79 wrote: »

He had to get that. Hard to know what Dublin will or should do now.

We should do nothing.

Accept it as there's no grounds for an appeal really. And we don't need the hassle or the attention.

OldMrBrennan83

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Dyr

Patww79 wrote: »

He had to get that. Hard to know what Dublin will or should do now.

Give the royals a good hammering?

Jayop

Getting people of on technicalities is another reason why there's so little respect for officials from intercounty to kids games.

MarcusP12

AGC wrote: »

km79 wrote: »

I get the feeling a lot of dubs are now
Sick of all the drama he brings when in truth he hasn't backed it up for the past few years

I get the feeling a lot of people are sick of the crap that is posted about him and couldn't be bothered engaging.

Some of the comments about worrying for him when his career is over and psychologists are laughable.

I don't think it's as laughable as you might think. Don't forget he assaulted a fella in mcgowans a few years ago which he was lucky to get away with compensation for (which I heard there was a whip around for apparently and that he has connections high up in the guards but that could be all bs). He clearly has anger issues in general if that incident is anything to go by. None of us really know him so difficult to say if a shrink is necessary but I don't think it's beyond the realms of possibility that he's a decent candidate all the same, so not "laughable" in my humble opinion.

I can't think of anyone who reacts so badly to being wound up. Great footballer no doubt but have no time for him due to his attitude. Plays with a constant scowl on his face.give me someone disciplined wih 10% less ability any day as you're likely to get value out of him.....id hate to think he's a role model for any young lads in the game....

I'll always remember the great Maurice Fitzgerald coming on as a sub (I think he was a sub anyway) in that replay quarter final (I think it was the replay or maybe the point he scored earned the replay, tis a long time ago!) I think years ago and when he came on he was literally rounded on by a group of dubs and harassed to wind him up. How did he react? Well I think we all know how that ended with one of the greatest points ever scored (given the position and pressure)...Connolly could learn a lot form that kind of attitude...

OldMrBrennan83

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MarcusP12

Patww79 wrote: »

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He is a million miles away from being the first GAA player to assault someone on a night out. He was just unlucky enough to be one of the ones that were caught.[/quote]

Fair point but maybe they all have anger issues of some sort! Lads who don't have some kind of a lack of self control or anger issues don't lamp lads in pubs for no good reason as was the case that time if I recall....obviously he's not the only one, doesn't make it right though.....just saying that he seems to be a fairly highly strung character in general and not just on the football pitch when someone's winding him up...

blanch152

MarcusP12 wrote: »

(which I heard there was a whip around for apparently and that he has connections high up in the guards but that could be all bs).

Do you have any links to back this up?

Jayop

blanch152 wrote: »

Do you have any links to back this up?

The clue to him not having to back it up was...

1) "I heard"
2) "it could all be bs"

C__MC

This case could go to the DRA. Joe brolly has spotted many technicalities on Twitter today about the incident.

On the other hand, Dublin route to the semi isn't fraught with danger. Let him accept it and have him back for the semi?

As far as I'm aware of the suspension stands, he can't train with the team

blanch152

Jayop wrote: »

The clue to him not having to back it up was...

1) "I heard"
2) "it could all be bs"

It was a load of made-up rubbish.

Jayop

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Fair point but maybe they all have anger issues of some sort! Lads who don't have some kind of a lack of self control or anger issues don't lamp lads in pubs for no good reason as was the case that time if I recall....obviously he's not the only one, doesn't make it right though.....just saying that he seems to be a fairly highly strung character in general and not just on the football pitch when someone's winding him up...

Lads in their late teens and early 20's getting into a row in a pub isn't the most unusual thing. If anything in my experience, lads who're into football or sport are probably less likely to be getting involved, but it still happens.

Jayop

blanch152 wrote: »

It was a load of made-up rubbish.

Very likely. He didn't claim it was fact though and said as much so asking for sources was ridiculous.

blanch152

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Fair point but maybe they all have anger issues of some sort! Lads who don't have some kind of a lack of self control or anger issues don't lamp lads in pubs for no good reason as was the case that time if I recall....obviously he's not the only one, doesn't make it right though.....just saying that he seems to be a fairly highly strung character in general and not just on the football pitch when someone's winding him up...

None of that has anything to do with what happened on Saturday night.

His reputation needs to be separated from what he did.

OldMrBrennan83

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MarcusP12

Jayop wrote: »

blanch152 wrote: »

Do you have any links to back this up?

The clue to him not having to back it up was...

1) "I heard"
2) "it could all be bs"

Exactly, thank you.....never suggested it was fact....dunno how that was picked up wrong....blanch152 must have misread the post!

MarcusP12

blanch152 wrote: »

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Fair point but maybe they all have anger issues of some sort! Lads who don't have some kind of a lack of self control or anger issues don't lamp lads in pubs for no good reason as was the case that time if I recall....obviously he's not the only one, doesn't make it right though.....just saying that he seems to be a fairly highly strung character in general and not just on the football pitch when someone's winding him up...

None of that has anything to do with what happened on Saturday night.

His reputation needs to be separated from what he did.

But it's his reputation that people see suggesting may need addressing with professional help. His reputation has nothing to do with the 12 ban he got. He put his hands on the lines man and the rule is there clear as day so he got what he deserved for that incident alone. The linesman didn't wind him up all game so no need for it!! Will be interesting to see if it holds up though....as some have suggested, maybe a lengthy ban might get him to cop on....

MarcusP12

blanch152 wrote: »

Jayop wrote: »

The clue to him not having to back it up was...

1) "I heard"
2) "it could all be bs"

It was a load of made-up rubbish.

Maybe by whoever mentioned it to me when we discussed....I don't believe it's true myself.....jees I'm sorry I included it now!

Jayop

Patww79 wrote: »

Adding the bs thing on is just someone's way of getting the story to a few more people when they've no real basis. A disclaimer doesn't mean someone isn't doing anything other than spreading rumours.

He should say that then instead of this asking for sources nonsense.

MarcusP12

Jayop wrote: »

MarcusP12 wrote: »

Fair point but maybe they all have anger issues of some sort! Lads who don't have some kind of a lack of self control or anger issues don't lamp lads in pubs for no good reason as was the case that time if I recall....obviously he's not the only one, doesn't make it right though.....just saying that he seems to be a fairly highly strung character in general and not just on the football pitch when someone's winding him up...

Lads in their late teens and early 20's getting into a row in a pub isn't the most unusual thing. If anything in my experience, lads who're into football or sport are probably less likely to be getting involved, but it still happens.

That's fair enough but if I was to judge someone's character by his history and what I see of him on the pitch, wound up or not, I'd say there's a fiery temperament there that i wouldn't like to be on the wrong side of....just saying like....great player alright but there are many equally good players down the years that didn't have the same discipline problems for some reason...

kerrysoul

Its about time that Connolly behaved like a man and not a thug. He deserves a lenghty ban for his for assaulting the linesman. No place in the GAaA for this behaviour

bucketybuck

kerrysoul wrote: »

He deserves a lenghty ban for his for assaulting the linesman.

Its **** like this that just makes me feel sorry for Connolly. Assaulting the linesman? Yawn.

The GAA is such a bull**** sport, they will happily sit their top players on the sidelines for months but won't do a thing about the endemic personal and physical abuse those same top players have to endure every time they walk out on the field.

Ban Connolly if those are the rules, but real integrity would be to address the systematic abuse players have to face at every level of the game week in and week out.

Jayop

Crying about abuse connolly gets is nothing more than whataboutery. The only reason it seems like he gets more abuse than any other top player is because he acts like a petulant child when it's given to him, but he's often dishing it out too.

Also, the incident with the linesman had nothing to do with other players. A decision was made that he disagreed with. He held the ball and stopped the opposition from getting on with the game, as in every such scenario the players try to get the ball back. He then shoves the linesman and gives him a bollocking for making what it turns out was a correct call.

He behaved like a clown and gets the ban he deserves.

Bonniedog

kerrysoul wrote: »

Its about time that Connolly behaved like a man and not a thug. He deserves a lenghty ban for his for assaulting the linesman. No place in the GAaA for this behaviour

Sticking your finger up someone's ar se is manly is it?

Don't be fkn pretending Kerry are some sort of saints. Worst sort of thugs when it comes to it.

Stoner

That's a lifestyle choice Bonniedog it's 2017 after all.

Wouldn't bother with the new reg accounts from here on in.

bucketybuck

Jayop wrote: »

Crying about abuse connolly gets is nothing more than whataboutery.

Its not just Connolly, its every player that actually wants the ball. My point is that the witch hunts are always looking in the wrong places. He, as an example, will sit on the sidelines while all over the country so called men will be spitting and punching and telling the opposition what they think of their dead relatives.

Such a sport, I played it all my life but god I'm glad I'm gone from it now.

Jayop

The sledging is always over exaggerated massively. As for spitting, what's there been, a handful of incidents in memory?

Yeah it's a physical game, there's going to be the odd punch, players will get pulled and dragged a bit. That's part of the game though and most don't want to see it disappear.

Bonniedog

Point taken Doc!

Jayop there is a world of difference between lads bumping into each other and even sly dig off the ball and sort of stuff that goes on now. One player being subjected to 70 minutes of abuse about a person who had recently killed themselves. A minor footballer taunted for whole game about father who died of cancer. What sort of scum does that?

Some of stories I've heard would have you lying awake at night! If you did this sort of stuff in a pub or on the street you'd be in court!

CurryFlavoured

Personally I think 12 weeks for the incident itself, regardless of what the actual ruling says, is harsh. And I really hate seeing officials abused, but his 'push' was more of a hand resting on the linesmans chest.

But I don't feel an iota of sympathy for Connolly, he has 1-2 stupid incidents every season and now he's getting a lengthy ban. The excuses peddled out for him are typically BS and I think he's been let of softly with certain things of the past, so even though I personally don't think the incident was as bad as many say, I don't have a problem with Connolly getting a long ban. (And I'm a Dublin man)

kerrysoul

Connolly has only himself to blame for his current predicament. At 30+ he should know better than to assault an official. Dublin are better off without him. Plenty of excellent plyers in the panel ready to replace him.

Jayop

Bonniedog wrote: »

Point taken Doc!

Jayop there is a world of difference between lads bumping into each other and even sly dig off the ball and sort of stuff that goes on now. One player being subjected to 70 minutes of abuse about a person who had recently killed themselves. A minor footballer taunted for whole game about father who died of cancer. What sort of scum does that?

Some of stories I've heard would have you lying awake at night! If you did this sort of stuff in a pub or on the street you'd be in court!

And if someone is doing that sort of stuff to that level then they should be named and shamed immediately after the game, none of this chinese whispers and denials that went on like the donegal/Tyrone minors game where I still don't know who or what to believe.

A bit of fair sledging for me would be slagging about anything from the person missing a shot to maybe a wee comment about getting their sisters phone number. Any ****e talk about people who've died or are sick is disgusting and has no place in the game.

Edit: And my point about it being exaggerated is more about the frequency of that type of stuff. I don't for a second believe the real true scummy stuff happens much at all. Maybe I'm naive about it.

bucketybuck

Jayop wrote: »

Edit: And my point about it being exaggerated is more about the frequency of that type of stuff. I don't for a second believe the real true scummy stuff happens much at all. Maybe I'm naive about it.

It happens every game at club level, the amount of **** that goes on is unreal, why the **** would any parent let their kids near it is becoming a mystery to me. Even if you don't believe the verbals (which absolutely do happen) the sheer amount of digs, punches, slaps, pulling and dragging just makes a mockery of every time a famous player gets banned for looking sideways at someone.

And its excused by all and sundry, all part of the game. Imagine what a game we would have if people could actually go out and play.

theoneeyedman

CurryFlavoured wrote: »

Personally I think 12 weeks for the incident itself, regardless of what the actual ruling says, is harsh. And I really hate seeing officials abused, but his 'push' was more of a hand resting on the linesmans chest.

The 'money was just resting in my account' defence eh??

I expect a full court legal press by the Dublin Co bd on this aided and abetted by their friends in the media who are already painting Connolly as the victim in this. Without exaggerating the incident, it's clear given the rules and recent precedent he should serve the 12 weeks, but believe it when you see it I guess.
Where does this leave Ciaran Brannigan BTW. Surely, he should be dropped from the panel, given the fact that he witnessed very closely the incident and failed to act on it. He has no credibility now, both his decision making and dare I say his impartiality must be called into question now

Bonniedog

theoneeyedman wrote: »

The 'money was just resting in my account' defence eh??

I expect a full court legal press by the Dublin Co bd on this aided and abetted by their friends in the media who are already painting Connolly as the victim in this. Without exaggerating the incident, it's clear given the rules and recent precedent he should serve the 12 weeks, but believe it when you see it I guess.
Where does this leave Ciaran Brannigan BTW. Surely, he should be dropped from the panel, given the fact that he witnessed very closely the incident and failed to act on it. He has no credibility now, both his decision making and dare I say his impartiality must be called into question now

His impartiality

Have you seen him ref a Dublin game?

Which no doubt partly contributed to Connolly's stupidity on Saturday.

dog_pig

bucketybuck wrote: »

Its **** like this that just makes me feel sorry for Connolly. Assaulting the linesman? Yawn.

The GAA is such a bull**** sport, they will happily sit their top players on the sidelines for months but won't do a thing about the endemic personal and physical abuse those same top players have to endure every time they walk out on the field.

Ban Connolly if those are the rules, but real integrity would be to address the systematic abuse players have to face at every level of the game week in and week out.

:pac: