Cork are apoplectic after Kerry are awarded a penalty in the drawn game. Photo by Dermot Crean
THE heat has been turned up on Kerry v Cork Munster SFC replay tomorrow evening by a former Cork footballer, who has accused Kerry players, particularly Kieran Donaghy, of ‘Plámás’ to influence officials.
Writing in the Irish Examiner, Conor McCarthy describes Kerry players as ‘genetically cute’ and goes on to list examples where Kerry have got the rub of the green from officials against Cork in Killarney.
The former Rebel says “before the throw-in, Kieran Donaghy when at full-forward, can often be seen going to each umpire in a very deliberate and deferential manner to shake their hands. Umpires are fans first and foremost. It would take a strong mind not to be influenced by such charisma.”
McCarthy also likens Fitzgearld Stadium to Old Trafford and the Kerry players as Roy Keane’s hoard in the heyday when Ferguson’s hold on the powers that be when they came to Manchester Unted.
The footballer turned writer, even goes as far to mention tomorrow night’s referee, Maurice Deegan, in the article saying “he is not prone to easy persuasion and will not buckle to home town pressure, but sometimes it can be an unconscious manipulation.”
The article has got a lot of tweeting going, including former Kerry stalwarts Tomas Ó Sé and Sean O’Sullivan. As you can imagine opinion is divided on the matter and almost most entirely down enemy lines.
So now Kerry try to ‘plamas’ referees? I’ve heard it all now @ConorMcCarthy. Granted pen decision was wrong but the rest is poor from you.
— Sean O Sullivan (@SeanTheBawn) July 17, 2015
@ConorMcCarthy Conor the Kerry crew have the Keyboard warriors out as they know you’re right ☺ @SeanTheBawn @tomas5ky
— Finbarr Harrington (@HarringtonFinb) July 17, 2015
@Jeff_Griffin82 don’t agree. Kerry got penalty that was not. Fair enough. Rest of it?Don’t agree with hardly any of it. I Never played a ref
— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) July 17, 2015
@ConorMcCarthy didn’t call it lazy I just think it’s a dig that Kerry try to influence matches all the time. I don’t agree. Only my opinion
— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) July 17, 2015
A shame to see @ConorMcCarthy getting stick over his @irishexaminer article.Typical Kerry they dish it out but cant take it!!!
— Eoin O’Sullivan (@OSullivanE) July 17, 2015
@ConorMcCarthy lazy journalism. You won’t be a journalist with rubbish like that. Look closer to home. Cork simply don’t have the bottle.
— Jeff Griffin (@Jeff_Griffin82) July 17, 2015
@ConorMcCarthy Poor Maurice Deegan is going to be under fierce pressure.. “cute Cork hoor” 😉
— Sarah-Nell (@SarahNell84) July 17, 2015
@KieranShannon7 @ConorMcCarthy My favourite bit was the nefarious JOD being manhandled away from influencing the ref by noble Corkmen
— David Keane (@keane2097) July 17, 2015
@Taypayshea @ExaminerSport @ConorMcCarthy It’s a decent read to get the blood flowing for sure. Fierce balanced too!:) #Gaa
— Toirdealbhach (@teaandpeach) July 17, 2015
Well after getting a propaganda onslaught from 6 former Kerry greats, refreshing to read @ConorMcCarthy thanks to the kerryexaminer
— Richard G P (@RichardGP2) July 17, 2015
