Aidan O’Rourke
Louth boss Aidan O’Rourke has been one of the most vocal in his criticism of the black card since its introduction was announced and he voiced his concerns about it even further in the wake of the Wee County’s 2-6 to 0-8 defeat to Dublin in the O’Byrne Cup on Wednesday night.
The Dromintee man believes Dublin have found a loophole to the new rule, which they utilised to full effect in Parnell Park two days ago.
He claims Dublin players avoided black cards on the night by cynically “bear hugging” Paddy Keenan.
Under the new rules, a player has to “deliberately pull down an opponent” to the ground to be awarded a black card.
However, O’Rourke says that wrapping a player up with a bear hug-style challenge that keeps both players’ feet on the ground is a way around the saction.
He is adamant that the ploy is already being coached and blamed Dublin for doing it to Keenan on a number of occasions on Wednesday.
“Every game I watch is refereed differently now,” he is quoted in today’s Irish Times. “Offences that drew a black card at the weekend didn’t get a black card tonight.
“I’m reluctant to use the word shambles but that’s where we’re at. Players, officials, supports – nobody knows what a black card is going to be issued for.
“People will think I am a broken record at this stage but I just don’t think it’s working. Now, we have to give it time and we have to persevere. Hopefully officials will all get on the same page but at the moment it’s not happening,” he said.
“To be honest, the most annoying part of the game regarding the official was that Paddy Keenan was being cynically fouled every time he got possession.
“But he wasn’t brought to the ground, therefore it wasn’t a black card. That completely defeats the purpose of addressing cynical fouling. That is the most cynical foul that there is, a good player winning the ball, trying to break out of the middle third and he’s bear hugged.
“Okay, it’s a free but then nothing happens so what’s the point of trying to address cynical play?
“If you’re strong enough to bearhug a player and not let him get to the ground then you don’t get a black card and that is being coached at the minute, I know well that it is.
“The black card is well intentioned and the origins of it are probably well intentioned but the solution they’ve come up with is not a solution, if you ask me.”
