Ireland Rules manager Paul Earley makes strong case for black card proposal

The GAA is in danger of surrendering the chance to rid Gaelic football of cynical fouling "for once and for all" if the so-called black card proposals are not approved at this weekend's Congress in Derry.

That’s according to former Roscommon footballer Paul Earley, who found himself in a sort of compromised position yesterday: in Croke Park to outline his new role as Ireland manager for the International Rules Series with Australia, Earley ended up fielding more questions about his role with the Football Review Committee (FRC), who have identified five cynical fouls that will result in the offending player been shown a black card, then automatically replaced.

“Am I concerned? Yeah,” admitted Earley. “My concern is that anywhere where we’ve been able to present the proposals they have been judged on their merits, have been well received. I think in some cases they’re not being judged on their merits, that’s what concerns me.

“The reality is, and I’m absolutely convinced about this, is the black card will help to eliminate cynical fouling from the game. I think anybody who has a genuine interest in the game, wants to get rid of the cynicism that’s in the game, should look at that very closely before they make a decision. Two-thirds majority is a big number to get, and we know some counties have gone against it. That’s disappointing.”

Earley is part of the nine-man FRC committee, chaired by Eugene McGee, and has travelled to various counties over the last few months, presenting in more detail the aims of the proposals, and remains adamant this is what the grassroots of the game is crying out for. However, with Donegal now joining counties such as Antrim, Down, Tyrone, Armagh, Fermanagh, Limerick, Cork, Westmeath, Tipperary and Clare opposed to the black card proposals it’s becoming increasing hard to see how the two-thirds majority will be met.

Cynical fouling
Should they fail then Earley is clear about the message that will send out: “What that will say is that cynical fouling is okay in our game, accepted, and tolerated. The reality is, at the moment, you could have 40 yellow cards, if 10 subs come on, or 40 different people deliberately pull down a player, and still stay on the field. The sanction at the moment is no deterrent.

“If we’re genuine, want to get rid of cynical fouling, and the vast majority of people who contributed to our survey, spoke to us, put it the top of their list, then let’s do something about it, for once and for all.”