Big Jim
Well-Known Member
Patrick just been speaking to the camera guy for Armagh in the shop in Derrymacash and the question of the Jamie's red card came up (ok I asked) - obviously. The answer was and I'm quoting here but maybe not word for word - "in slow motion it can clearly be seen Jamie is being held by the Jersey and/or nipped. His right arm was raised either in an attempt to push off or balance and came level with the Clare players lower chest at no time making contact. It's not possible to say whether or not there was an attempt to strike out but likely did look that way in real time. The Clare players reaction was more than a second after that and only when the ref actually turned towards him and was looking in that direction as he was alongside at the time of the incident. It's unclear yet if they will appeal and he wouldn't know that anyway"I was right in line with what happened with Clarke and as soon it happened I thought "he's just elbowed him in the face and the ref is right there and if the ref's seen that Clarke is in trouble." I've read McGeeney's comments on RTE suggesting that the player made a meal of it, but as far as I could see, the player went down straight away, rather than delaying and then going down. I can't say that Clarke definitely caught, but I'm 99.9% sure that he threw and elbow and it was at head level, not across the chest. Other people who were closer to the incident may say otherwise, so happy to be corrected.
However, what doesn't help is the fact that the ref is from Meath and we play them next week. I'm not saying that that influenced his decision, but you wonder who makes these decisions at Croke Park and is unable to look at league table and see where a ref comes from?
As for our goal, there were 5 steps taken
As for their first goal James Morgan's tackle was mistimed missing the ball and player and THEN it was fisted/palmed directly into the goal. No other contact at all
As for their second goal, it's impossible from the camera angle to say the ball did or didn't cross the line but looks like Hughes was on the line so on balance most likely to have been impossible although can't be certain. It was a defensive error and own goal if it did as an armagh player dropped it.
The injury to the Clare player was not certain but seems like a broken ankle after Charlie landed awkwardly
The players reported that the pitch was frozen and Clare did voice an objection asking could it not be transferred to Armagh.