The only positive for Waterford right now is that time is on their side.
As per usual, when the decision arrived it was late and most of us were bleary-eyed. As it stands, Tadhg de Búrca will not be playing the All-Ireland Hurling semi final against Cork next weekend.
The Waterford defender was unsuccessful at the Central Appeals Committee level after he contested the red carded he received in the quarter final win over Wexford. Harry Kehoe had blocked the Déise man on a foray up-field and TV footage showed a tangle [below] that led to Waterford being reduced to 14.
WATCH:
Tadhg de Búrca's red card was the one big black spot on @WaterfordGAA's win today. Linesman gave the big call. #GAAclips pic.twitter.com/AlnQ8LuVJE— eir Sport (@eirSport) July 23, 2017
As we noted at the time, it was difficult to decipher whether or not de Búrca grabbed Kehoe by the face guard or not, whether contact with it was intentional, and also how much blame the Wexford man should take for initiating the flashpoint.
Credit: eir SportThe CAC will have taken video evidence, the referee’s report, including the view of the linesman who was standing mere metres away, and player statements when considering the appeal.
With the decision now handed down, Waterford and de Búrca are now left with two options – they can take their appeal to the Disputes Resolution Authority [DRA] or start planning without the defender for their clash with The Rebels.
With the last four clash still nine days away, we would not be surprised to see the DRA called into action on this one.
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