Referee makes Derry see red

Derry are set to appeal against Cork being awarded the first of the All-Ireland minor football semi-finals at Croke Park yesterday.

The Derry appeal will be on the grounds that Cork finished the game with a full complement of players, as a result of their midfielder Kieran Murphy not having earned the ultimate sanction when shown a second yellow card six minutes from the end of a thrilling encounter.

An incensed Derry manager Chris Brown said that he will be requesting a special meeting of his County board this week. Murphy was shown a second yellow card for a hand-trip on Derry's Jimmy Kelly.

Brown shared the view with his fellow selectors that a red card should have followed. "The rule is simple," said Brown afterwards.

"A yellow card for first offence, a yellow card for second offence, followed by a red, man off - end of message."

Kelly equalised at 0-13 from the resultant free and the Derry management are particularly irked by the fact that Murphy was still on the pitch to win possession from the kick-out in a tense finish.

"He hand-tripped Kelly, you may be able to do that in rugby but not in gaelic. The second yellow card was very much warranted, but the red did not follow."

Earlier in the first half, midfielder Murphy was shown a first yellow card for allegedly kicking the Derry wing back and captain Sean McKenna, who had failed to move back when the Cork player was taking a free.

Cork county Board secretary Frank Murphy emerged from the Cork dressingroom to inform the waiting press: "We have nothing to say whatsoever to the media on the match." He then closed the door.

Derry missed two first-half goal chances. Full forward Ciarain O'Neill hit the butt of an upright with Cork goalkeeper Kevin Murphy well beaten and later Murphy somehow got a foot to another O'Neill effort to turn the ball around the post for a 45.

Derry's defence, seen to be faster than the Cork forwards in the first half, contributed largely to their side's ability to hold the lead for so long.

Gary O'Kane, Chris Collins and McKenna were never shy to run out in front of Cork forwards to earn valuable and inspiring possession. Goalkeeper Brian Scullion reserved his best save from Kevin McMahon for the second half.

But once McMahon and Kieran Murphy gained notable control in the middle for Cork the Derry defence came under severe pressure and were often caught-out.

The Cork captain and right corner forward James Masters stood out as a player apart. His authority was not affected by the Derry move to switch Gary McMaster, in an attempt to curb the talented Nemo man.

Cork: K Murphy; N O'Donovan, P Deane, E Burke; N O'Leary (0-1), D O'Hare, P McCarthy; K McMahon (0-1), K Murphy (0-1); D Barron, C Murphy (0-1 free), J Collins (0-2); J Masters (0-6, two frees), C Brosnan, D Burns. Subs: M O'Connor (0-2) for C Murphy (25 mins); B O'Regan for P McCarthy, B Hegarty (0-1) for Burns (both half time).

Derry: B Scullion; M O'Kane, C Feeney, P Mooney; S McKenna, C Collins, G McMaster; K McCann, D Canning; G Donaghy (0-2), J Kelly (0-2 one free), Cormac O'Neill; M Donaghy (0-2), Ciarain O'Neill (0-6, three frees), P Young (0-1). Subs: B McGuigan (0-1) for G Donaghy (10 mins); S Scullion for Mooney (41); C O'Brien for Canning (48); J Diver for O'Brien (58).

Referee: G Kinneavy (Roscommon)

The All-Ireland under-21 hurling semi-final between Offaly and Galway has been fixed for the Limerick Gaelic Grounds on this Thursday.

The Munster under-21 hurling final replay between Limerick and Cork will be played at the Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday with the winners to meet Antrim in the All-Ireland semi-final.