Tyrone set to appeal disputed Kilpatrick red card

TYRONE joint-manager Brian Dooher has intimated that they will appeal the decision to send Conn Kilpatrick to the line during today’s Division One victory against Roscommon at O’Neill’s Healy Park.

The Red Hands were forced into playing the bulk of the second-half with 14 men when Kilpatrick was controversially red card by referee Martin McNally for a challenge on Roscommon defender David Murray.

The game was televised live by TG4 and replays of the incident suggested that Kilpatrick had been making a genuine effort to win the ball. As things stand Kilpatrick will be forced to sit out next Sunday’s eagerly anticipated round-two clash against Derry as a red card entails an automatic one-game suspension, but the Tyrone management will be hopeful that the decision will be rescinded at Croke Park.

Speaking after the game, Brian Dooher was asked whether Tyrone would appeal and he responded as follows: “I’ve seen a quick replay of it, I’ll let you think for yourselves. Would you be appealing it? If that’s the benchmark for red cards this year, then we’re going to be in trouble. We’ll see what happens and we’ll get a look at it again, but I thought it was harsh.”

It was otherwise a good day at the office for Tyrone with Darragh Canavan, Michael McKernan and Niall Morgan in sparkling form and a host of newcomers also doing themselves justice in a 0-17 to 1-11 victory over the Rossies.