Footage doesn't suggest much contact

But with footage emerging of Beirne's dismissal for Kildare, fans are adamant his ban will be reversed on appeal, with seemingly little contact between himself and Gareth McKinless of Derry.

Replays show McKinless walking towards Beirne, who then turns to meet his opponent, with McKinless going down to the floor.

It's unclear where the firm contact was made on McKinless, with manager Brian Flanagan saying Kildare will explore every avenue to appeal the decision.

"From our point of view and from talking to Alex there wasn’t a whole lot in that and the reaction (of the Derry player) was what the reaction was but we didn’t see a whole lot.

"We’ll review properly now in the next few hours but at this point we’ll still be hopeful of overturning that.”

In comments under the video on social media, fans were quick to criticise McKinless for the reaction.

"Sniper on the roof… Embarrassing for the lad," said one.

Another said: "That's embarrassing."

A third said: "Are pundits afraid to call him out on it. He should receive the ban for bringing game into disrepute."

Glass also sent off in feisty encounter

Despite a sixth-minute red card for captain Conor Glass, the Oak Leafers managed to come away with an impressive 3-15 to 1-18 win.

Talisman Glass was sent off for an off-the-ball incident with Callum Bolton, but footage, albeit grainy, shows that it was arguably a harsh decision from referee David Gough.

The Lilywhite's Alex Beirne also saw red, while at one stage Derry were down to 12 after two black cards.

Th result leaves Derry third in Division 2 - two points behind leaders Meath - with Kildare a further point behind in fourth.