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Donal Óg questions hurling rule after controversial Dublin-Limerick incident
Donal Óg Cusack has questioned a controversial decision made during the Limerick and Dublin All Ireland quarter-final as he stated an offence from Dublin 'should have been a black card.'
The Treaty City were the heavy favourites entering the game on Saturday evening at Croke Park, with many thinking a red card for Dublin captain Chris Crummey within the first 15 minutes was the game done and dusted.
However, Limerick were unable to use the extra player to their advantage with two second-half goals within seconds of each other resulting in the Dubs pulling off a shock win. Donal Óg Cusack has questioned a controversial decision made during the Limerick and Dublin All Ireland quarter-final as he stated an offence from Dublin 'should have been a black card.' Pic: RTÉ Sport/ X
Former Cork hurler Donal Óg was on commentating duties with RTÉ and, although he admitted the Dubs deserved their win, he was aggrieved by one decision that went in the capital's favour.
The final minutes of the game saw Limerick centre-forward Cathal O'Neill breaking Dublin's line of defence only to be taken down.
While the offence appeared to be a blatant black card offence, which would have seen a Dublin player sent off for ten minutes and a penalty to Limerick, a free was instead awarded. Limerick were unable to use the extra player to their advantage with two second-half goals within seconds of each other resulting in the Dubs pulling off a shock win against Limerick. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
'What's the black card about?' Donal Óg questioned following the game, 'Why was it brought in?
'We talked a lot about the tackles before the game, there was no question here. Cathal O'Neill just loses his man. Dublin get drawn in. One of the mistakes that Burke made during the day, he wasn't conscious of what was behind him, Lynch doing what Lynch does so well and picks him.
'Then Dublin are scrambling to make the cover. No question, it should have been a black card.'
'It's the second time we have said it, why was the rule brought in at all then? Donal Óg reiterated his confusion as to why the rule was brought in if it isn't being used. Pic: RTÉ Sport/ X
After 70 minutes of play, along with injury time, Dublin advanced into the semi-finals with a victory of 2-24 to 0-28.
The boys in blue will now face Cork on Saturday, July 5 with the other semi-final between Kilkenny and Tipperary on Sunday, July 6.
Both semi-finals will take place at Croke Park with teams vying for a spot in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final scheduled for Sunday, July 20.
