Rian O'Neill was a victim of referees "not protecting the better players" last weekend before he was sent off, claims GAA pundit and former Armagh star Oisin McConville.
The Crossmaglen man was red carded in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC defeat to Tyrone after a first half incident that was highlighted by the umpires on the day.
O'Neill's knee appeared to make contact with the head of Tyrone's Cormac Quinn. Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney said after the game that O'Neill felt he had been "pulled down" by his jersey.
"I didn't think there was a big pile in it to be honest, " McConville told the BBC GAA Social podcast. McConville is a former Armagh All-Ireland winner, current Wicklow football manager and also an uncle and clubmate of O'Neill.
"I'm not making excuses for Rian. One of the things I was told at the start of the year by the referees' committee was that they were going to protect the better players and they are just not doing that.
"He gets no protection whatsoever. People say because he's bigger than everyone else and stronger that he should be able to take it and all that…..pure nonsense. You either protect the player or you don't."
READ NEXT:
- Tailteann Cup venues and dates confirmed as Kieran Donnelly urges Fermanagh to make home advantage count
Derry can 'put it up to anyone' says Ciaran Meenagh after defeating Donegal
Recap as Antrim hit late brace against Fermanagh to clinch home Tailteann Cup quarter-final
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
