No. Beggan went short to their No. 11 ((Bannigan I think) and Cumiskey tried to run at Beggan to slow the kick out. He 11, moved it on to 17 (can't remember name) and Turbitt was lucky not to clip his heels and get black. Can't make out on the video who 17 moved it to but possibly 5 O'Connell and Conor O'Neill took him down. Again really lucky not to pick up a card. Beggan took the free and went sideways with it eventually resulting in the free that McManus got to take courtesy of a clumsy tackle by 11 Grugan. Beggan was never going to miss around the edge of the D.
Rewinding a bit, the tackle on Soupy that ended in him having to go off was also missed. Highly surprising as the ref is looking directly at it unfold. I can't be certain, but looks like Monaghan 4 Wylie, pushes him as he goes to kick the ball and definitely clips his foot/heel as he goes down causing him to tumble completely. That was a classic black incident and free directly in line with where the ball landed on the 13m line should have been awarded instead of the wide. He gave us a free earlier for a similar incident. That was poor enough, but then as he lay on the ground in distress, looking like cramp, Monaghan 20 (I'm fairly sure Darren Hughes) runs out from the goal line but almost as he passes, deliberately turns left and steps "into" Soupy on the ground. It may have only been a brush past his leg but at the very least it's unsportsmanlike and was a deliberate act. The letter of the law would see it as a strike. On an injured player it's a bit babyish!!
The tackle on Hall resulting in a heavy head injury which he immediately pointed out to the linesman as he was obviously bleeding, should have been seen as bordering on dangerous or rough play. It could have been a red if dealt with properly, but again yellow as a minimum. If we had have done that on any other team, the screams about our bullish behaviour would have been heard for a full year and rightly so. Look at Rian's recent punishment for trying to stop a burglar getting away!
Yes I am sad enough to have watched those last few minutes to pick up on those points
Yes I know it's nit picking and seems like a sore loser - fine I'm a sore loser, but many many people have talked about the small things and small margins
Yes I'm fully aware if I sat through the entire game, pausing and rewinding I'd see things we should have and could have been pulled up on. I imagine I'd find many more Monaghan should have been pulled up on too, but it doesn't mean those points that are factual should be ignored.
Yes I'm annoyed we lost and maybe more so because we should have had it out of sight in normal time. No!! Don't be daft I'm not suggesting we were that much better than them. Just should have been tactically better.
Yes I'm still not over it and I think the fact Monaghan used 2 subs more than they should have, really needs objected to - Okay I made that bit up, but desperate times!
Thank you every player who trained as part of the squad this year or took part in any way. Your efforts and sacrifices are not left un-applauded! I appreciate everything you have done to make this a year to remember.
Thank you to every member of the management and backroom team that did any small or large part this year in an effort to give us the supporters and your families and friends, a team to follow and allow us on that rollercoaster we call sport.
I for one cannot and will not be down on you for making mistakes if you did. You did what you did in the belief that it was for the right reason. I truthfully don't care if others agree with me or not. This is just my thoughts and my opinions. That makes it right for me. For those that have the opinion that management should change, that is one that will be seen in every era and each point you make is valid. Just like mine. I'm in the age bracket that allows me to accept that success is not measured in Social Media likes and the number of £/$/€ in your pocket. Some are fascinated by the "wages" someone gets and speculate infinitely without anything of basis. When challenged for a provable figure, some retreat to things like; "the county board don't release those figures so it must be humungous!" A justification which if used in court would be laughed at, so I can only assume that makes those same speculators politicians as they also know how to avoid simple questioning!
I've never done this and hope I never will again, but aimed directly at Kieran McGeeney:
I was lucky enough to speak to Jarlath Burns at the Athletic Grounds shortly after he retired from playing with the county. I said I just had wished he'd given it one more push. Jarlath replied "You have a great man leading out there now. Believe in him. He has something special about him!"
Geezer I am delighted you do what you do. Massively disappointed at the lack of success we get, but know that whichever way you turn next is the right way for you. You remain as someone who has inspired some of my personal decisions over the last 20+ years particularly in my personal and work decisions. As you said a long time ago, I try every day to be the best I can be. Doesn't mean I'm right. Doesn't mean I always do the right thing. Doesn't mean I'm blinded. Doesn't mean I don't see faults. Doesn't mean I can't see the toll the effort takes! It just means I'm human and fallible. How many can be honest enough to do likewise?
"Be the best you can be!"
