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Cork star receives harsh red after unlucky strike to Meath man’s eye

Published 19:25 23 May 2026 BST

Updated 19:27 23 May 2026 BST

Jack Fennessy
Cork star receives harsh red after unlucky strike to Meath man’s eye

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Very unlucky!

Cork have beaten Meath in their All-Ireland first-round clash at Páirc Uí Rinn, by 0-30 to 1-24.

However, an incident between Colm O'Callaghan and Ruari Kinsella left the rebels down a man heading into the final half-an-hour. (You can view the red card below).

Fans, however have been debating on social media if the Cork man deserved a red card for his strike to Kinsella's face.

One user said: "Draws blood from Ruairi Kinsella and it's a flailing arm but that's an unlucky red card for Cork and for Colm O'Callaghan if you were to judge it off all the flying elbows in Kerry Donegal.

"Could be a massive moment, Meath with an extra player for the final 19 mins, one point game."

Another user wrote: "A couple of harsh cards for Cork. A red for Callaghan. This game is a rollercoaster.

"Very enjoyable, both teams really going at it."

Referee Brendan Cawley's decision has been negatively analysed by other supporters however with one saying: "Never a red card, gaa refs are getting worse every year."

Cork: Patrick Doyle; Maurice Shanley, Daniel O'Mahony, Seán Meehan; Brian O'Driscoll, Tommy Walsh, Luke Fahy; Colm O'Callaghan, Ian Maguire (c); Paul Walsh, Seán McDonnell, David Buckley; Mark Cronin, Chris Óg Jones, Steven Sherlock.

Meath: Seán Brennan; Donal Keogan, Seán Rafferty, Ronan Ryan; Seán Coffey, Bryan Mention, Ciarán Caulfield; Cian McBride, Charlie O'Connor; James Conlon, Jordan Morris, Seamus Lavin; Matthew Costello, Eoghan Frayne (c), Ruarí Kinsella.