When Roy O’Donovan felt his studs dig into that goalkeeper’s face, he must have known what was coming next.
Cork native Roy O’Donovan landed himself in a lot of trouble in the A-League Grand Final earlier this month.
The 32-year-old received a straight red card just two minutes before the game’s conclusion for what has been described as ‘the worst tackle’ in A-League history.
O’Donovan went in high with his boot to try to get a touch on a lofted ball into the box. Goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas went out to claim it and received a studs-up tackle to the jaw for his bravery. Referee Jarred Gillett was left with no option but to send him for an early shower.
Thomas was able to play on with his face wrapped in bandages. Newcastle Jets, O’Donovan’s team, ended up losing the game 1-0 to Melbourne Victory.
Roy O'Donovan sent off for the worst tackle in A-League history, crashing his studs into Lawrence Thomas's jaw. Newcastle lose the final in disgrace. #ALeagueGF pic.twitter.com/fHHFfIDhvY
— Evan Morgan Grahame (@Evan_M_G) May 5, 2018
As expected, O’Donovan received a very lengthy ban for the challenge. It was confirmed on Friday that O’Donovan received a 10-game ban for the foul.
It’s the second longest ban in A-League history. Danny Vukovic holds the record for his nine-month ban for striking a referee in 2008.
The ban is two games more than O’Donovan’s previous record of eight games. He served that suspension in 2016 for headbutting Manny Muscat of the Wellington Pheonix while he was playing for Central Coast. O’Donovan and the Jets have seven days to appeal the decision.
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