Watch: Why Rory O’Connor and Dalton received straight red cards

The Wexford Senior hurlers took on Cork last weekend in the opening game of the Allianz Hurling League…

Not only were Wexford crushed by a stylish Cork outfit, but Wexford suffered a further blow when their centre forward and captain – Rory O’Connor – received a straight red in the game after an altercation with Patrick Dalton, who also received a straight red for the altercation, which occurred on the 53rd minute mark of the game.

A video has since surfaced of the incident, courtesy of Buff Egan, who attended the game and captured the video footage and shared it to his significant audience.

The RTE cameras at the game also picked up the incident:

Should they appeal these red cards?
Declan Dalton & Rory O'Connor. Cork v Wexford. pic.twitter.com/KjwiaWeGlD
— Craic Of The Ash (@CraicOfTheAsh) January 27, 2025

After the Wexford and Cork game, both managers stated that they will appeal the decision by the referee to send the players off:

“Hopefully, we’ll have the video tonight to look back on it. I think it was harmless stuff now. We’re talking the fourth weekend in January. Two lads and you have a bit of a shemozzle after a free. I don’t think there was any malice in any of it. It’s gone too severe, to be honest with you. I wouldn’t be happy with it.”

“Two yellow cards branded and on we go with it and instead two sending offs for two fellas that aren’t really dirty either. So yeah we probably will be appealing it,” Rossiter said.

One aspect that could work in their favour should Wexford and Cork appeal is the fact that both players shook hands directly after being sent off, highlighting the sportsmanship but also highlighting the lack of malice in the incident.

Wexford will take on Tipperary in Semple Stadium next weekend. As it stands, Wexford would be without Rory O’Connor, Lee Chin, Conor McDonald, Damien Reck, (Matthew O’Hanlon, Liam Og McGovern, Dee O’Keeffe – all retired). It is believed that Shane Reck and Jack O’Connor may be in contention for the clash. When looking at those names, it has been the spine of the team for the last several years.

Read Byron Jones’ report from the Wexford vs Cork match at Wexford Park here.