Latest news with #DamienMacGraith
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Justice for Sligo Rovers after McClean's red card rescinded
For the second game in a row, Sligo Rovers have been successful in having a red card appeal to the FAI upheld. Patrick McClean's sending-off when Sunday's visit to St Patrick's Athletic was scoreless proved pivotal to the ninth-placed team losing 3-0 at Inchicore. Referee Damien MacGraith brandished the red card after McClean felled Mason Melia but the presence of a covering defender caused bafflement for spectators and viewers. An FAI statement confirmed justice has been served, albeit belatedly: 'An Independent Appeal Committee of the FAI has upheld Sligo Rovers FC's appeal for wrongful dismissal following Patrick McClean's red card in Sligo Rovers FC's SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division fixture versus St. Patrick's Athletic FC on 10 August 2025. 'In accordance with the FAI Disciplinary Regulations, Patrick McClean will be available for Sligo Rovers FC's next SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division fixture versus Waterford FC on 22 August 2025.' Sligo boss John Russell was already reeling from a similar situation last week when goalkeeper Sam Sargeant's was sent off in the defeat to Shelbourne. 'Yeah, we have to (appeal),' he said after Sunday's defeat. 'Thankfully we did get one overturned last week. 'You are coming up to St Pat's and this time last year we conceded a penalty in the 97th minute. And it was never a penalty, and we ended up losing the game 4-3. 'But you are coming up thinking hopefully it will turn for us and we might get decisions for us, and then this happens. It's hugely frustrating.' He added: 'I think everyone in the ground, bar the man in the middle, could see it was never a red card.'
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
WATCH as red card howler has opposition fans labelling decision as ‘shocking'
Sligo Rovers fell victim to a bizarre red card shortly before half-time in their League of Ireland clash with St Patrick's Athletic on Sunday. The decision by referee Damien MacGraith even had fans of the Saints claiming it was a 'shocker' - and as the red card was produced, gasps of disbelief and laughter could be heard from home fans sitting below the press box. MacGraith reached for his red card after Rovers defender Patriick McClean, brother of Wrexham and former Ireland star James McClean, was adjudged to have fouled Tottenham-bound Mason Melia, who dispossessed Sebastian Quirk and raced towards the area. As the teenager skipped past McClean, he went tumbling, and MacGraith whistled for a free-kick 25 yards from goal. To the shock of most inside Richmond Park, the referee reached for his back pocket and sent off the Derry native, who could barely believe what was happening. His protests fell on deaf ears, while members of the Rovers coaching staff complained in vain to the fourth official. While contact was made, it looked to be a yellow card offence at most, as McClean was not the last man. The Showgrounds side only last week had a red card to goalkeeper Sam Sargeant overturned. He was sent off for allegedly handling the ball outside his area against Shelbourne, and Rovers won their appeal. They will no doubt launch another appeal to get McClean's dismissal overturned. Patrick McClean of Sligo Rovers receives a red card from referee Damien MacGraith (Image: INPHO/James Lawlor) The latest red card was described online by fans as 'shocking' and 'farcical' and it altered the course of Sunday's game. A tight contest up to the sending off, Pat's scored three inside the first 15 minutes of the second-half as Rovers were forced into a tactical adjustment. You can watch the red card incident here… Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
