Tyrone footballer Tiernan McCann faces the possibility of missing the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry after the GAA’s Central Competition Control Committee proposed an eight-week ban for an incident in Saturday’s quarter-final win against Monaghan that saw Darren Hughes shown a red card.
FFS, someone is very precious about their hair #MONvTYR pic.twitter.com/PF2HBz4oOw
— Joe O'Mara (@joeomara) August 8, 2015
Hughes ruffled McCann’s hair toward the end of the match and the Tyrone reacted by dropping to the ground. Hughes was immediately sent off and McCann has been heavily criticised by GAA supporters and in the media for what appears to be a blatant dive.
The eight-week ban has reportedly been proposed under a rule concerning ‘misconduct discrediting the Association’.
But, as has been pointed out online, “to attempt to achieve an advantage by feigning a foul or injury” which is what McCann appeared to do is listed in GAA Rules as a cautionable offence with a yellow card the correct punishment.
To attempt to achieve an advantage by feigning a foul or injury, penalty is to caution offender. It does not equal an 8 week suspension #mad
— Philip Jordan (@PhilipJordan7) August 11, 2015
There has been mixed reaction to the news, with many pleased to see the Association take action to stamp out diving.
Tyrone playing the victims again I see. 4 week ban would have been fair
— Colm Parkinson (@Woolberto) August 11, 2015
8wk ban for #TiernanMcCann Ya can't hide in Croke Park #dontturnGaelicintoSoccer #justice
— Meabh O'Hare (@MabhOHare) August 12, 2015
Nip in the bud, shows younger players that it's not acceptable. People giving out one way another #diving #cantwin #tiernanmccann
— Gerard McDermott (@Mc_D123) August 12, 2015
But others argue against the proposed ban, questioning both the severity of the punishment and the timing.
Five points on Tiernan McCann's proposed eight-week ban: #GAA #examsport pic.twitter.com/ofOKvnEY3N via @JohnFogartyIrl
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) August 12, 2015
If Tiernan McCann gets an 8 week ban its excessive. If the GAA wanted to take a stance on cheating they picked a bad time to do it 1/5
— ian galvin (@IanGalvinNYGAA) August 12, 2015
8 week ban for Tiernan McCann is very harsh. Surely it's a yellow card offence! Making an example of a young lad isn't right. #Tyrone #GAA
— Emma Sloan (@emmasloan) August 12, 2015
If Tiernan McCann gets banned for 8 weeks it will be an absolute travesty! Succeeding only in showing how weak the cccc are! #TyroneGAA
— Mr C Gervin (@Mr_C_Gervin) August 12, 2015
Read: Darren Hughes has come up with the perfect response to that dive