A LEADING Ulster official has rejected allegations that football in the province is any less disciplined or more cynical than elsewhere. Danny Murphy’s comments come in the wake of a controversial start to the championship and as it emerges three players, two from Derry and one from Monaghan, have been proposed for eight-week suspensions by the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC).
Centrefielder Fergal Doherty and replacement forward Brian Mullan are the Derry players, and are joined by Tommy Freeman from Monaghan. Doherty was sent off for a second yellow card but his proposed suspension relates to an incident where he is seen kicking at Monaghan’s Dick Clerkin.
Mullan was also captured on camera appearing to knee Conor McManus in the groin whereas Freeman was involved in a tangle with Derry’s Kevin McGuckin. The players have the choice of accepting the proposed punishment or requesting a hearing.
The weekend’s clash between Ulster holders Armagh and All-Ireland champions Tyrone didn’t attract the opprobrium directed at the previous week’s match but featured nearly as many fouls.
“I don’t think there’s any particular problem with the Ulster championship,” said Murphy who declined to comment on the CCCC recommendations. “We’ve gone for several years without any major incidents. There were issues highlighted in respect of the Derry-Monaghan game but if people break the rules they are entitled to be dealt with by them.
“In general the games in Ulster are highly competitive and generally are played within the rules, fairly physical – and nobody has ever tried to deny that – but very fair. Cynicism is not something I have seen in Ulster football over the years.”
Whereas the last statement will hardly create a consensus, Murphy believes that the problem of foul play or indiscipline is no worse in the northern province than anywhere else. “Ulster teams are very competitive and we had two of the most competitive ones yesterday. You can take your own perspective on the world but I genuinely believe that Ulster teams play within the rules.”
He said he believed the high profile of counties from the province – Armagh and Tyrone have won four of the last seven All-Irelands, Ulster’s second most successful phase in All-Ireland history after the 1991-94 sequence of four successive titles – could be an influence on attitudes elsewhere in the country.
“There might be an element of that in that if something is successful, normally people are against it and some might be looking for some way to question what’s been achieved but I would strenuously deny any requirement for Ulster teams to be cynical or over-physical to win anything.
“They play with a level of intensity which is part and parcel of the game here. When we weren’t winning All-Irelands nobody seemed to pay much regard to it. Then we started winning and the word ‘cynical’ suddenly appears.”
The venue for the Derry-Tyrone semi-final will not be decided until next week after this coming weekend’s provincial council meeting.
Whereas the choice looks likely to be between Clones and Casement Park, there is apparently interest from other counties in staging the match with both Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan and Ballybofey in Donegal possibilities.
The counties met most recently three years ago when Tyrone, then as now All-Ireland champions, lost to Derry in a first round at “home” at Healy Park, Omagh. In 2003 the counties were involved in a drawn quarter-final in Clones with Tyrone winning the replay in Casement Park. Derry manager Damian Cassidy has injury problems as well as the above mentioned potential suspensions, with Enda Muldoon, Seán Martin Lockhart and Niall McCusker all doubtful for the 21st June fixture.
