Former Kerry player Dara O'Cinneide has defended Kevin McStay's sideline actions at the weekend.
The Roscommon manager appeared to launch the ball in the direction of the referee in an aggressive manner in yesterday's game at Dr. Hyde Park.
O'Cinneide says it's completely out of character from the Roscommon manager to act in such an aggressive manner towards an official. The Kerry man says it a side of McStay that he has never seen before.
“Of all the pundits and ex-players that I’ve come across in my time. I’ve never seen a person more respectful of officials than Kevin McStay, in the past, from all my dealings with him. Separate from Saturday’s incident,’ said O’Cinneide.
The former An Ghaeltacht player believes their has been too much made of the issue and compared it to the Dairmuid Connoly incident last year. He says he can understand McStay's actions were stemmed from his immense passion for the game.
“You can get up on your high horse and go ‘tut-tutting’, as last year happened with Diarmuid Connoly. These things happen. I can associate ‘absolutely’ with the frustrations of Kevin McStay. Who’s to say that I won’t do it next week?! - it happens.
O'Cinnedide says GAA must not be compared to other sport because Gaelic games are uniquely different to other sports.
"Unfortunately we say it doesn’t happen in rugby, it doesn’t happen in other sports. We are not like them. We are different. This is Gaelic games’ it happens.
He expressed his distaste that the culture exists in Gaelic games, but says it's something that must be embraced because of the passion that is on display.
"It’s unfortunate that this culture is there. But at the same time you could be saying – clean this up, clean that up, and make everything clinical. This madness is beautiful in the game, we should cherish it. I’m not saying to go over and lamp a linesman or anything like that but these things happen in the GAA hurling and football championship.”
You can watch the interview above on our Youtube channel.
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