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The controversial All-Ireland final incident involving Kerry captain Kieran Donaghy and Dublin's Philly McMahon. James Crombie/INPHO
reopening old wounds

Kieran Donaghy claims he WAS eye-gouged by Philly McMahon, in RTÉ documentary

Dramatic footage has emerged in the RTÉ documentary ‘All-Ireland final day’, to be aired next Monday evening.

FOOTAGE HAS EMERGED from the 2015 All-Ireland senior football final in which Kerry captain Kieran Donaghy claims that he WAS eye-gouged by Dublin defender Philly McMahon.

The controversial flashpoint took place in the second half of the Croke Park decider, and in a fascinating documentary – All-Ireland final day – referee David Coldrick is mic’d up and at the heart of the action.

The documentary, which will air next Monday evening on RTÉ One, provides definitive proof that Donaghy felt he was the victim of a McMahon eye gouge, even though the Tralee man later played down the incident. 

McMahon was booked earlier in the game on the advice of an umpire, for persistent fouling.

“Number 4 (McMahon), persistent fouling, yellow card,” is the advice that reaches Coldrick’s earpiece.

“Look, he is doing it in the middle of the field.”

McMahon is not happy with the award of a yellow card, and protests to the referee.

“It’s always the back, It’s always the back,” the Ballymun Kickhams man says.

Coldrick replies: ”Why are you giving them an opportunity?”

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

McMahon issues the following response: ”Donaghy is hitting me when I am trying to make a block. David, I swear to God I didn’t do anything. I didn’t do anything.”

Coldrick tells McMahon: ”You’re holding him the whole time.” But McMahon is not happy.

“I’m not holding him! F**k sake!”

“I’ll watch Philly, but you were doing it there. You were doing it there,” Coldrick insists.

As the clock ticks down, the flashpoint episode occurs.

“He gouged my eye on the ground, Dave,” Donaghy claims.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

“I didn’t see that now, Kieran,” Coldrick says.

“That was just two lads competing, that’s all.

“Lads, lads. It’s okay. It’s alright. It’s alright, Philly,” Coldrick adds.

Sideline official Derek Fahy suggests allowing a sub on to settle things down. 

“Yeah, let’s go sub. Just relax lads, okay?” Coldrick pleads. 

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Earlier in the game, Coldrick was told to keep an eye out for McMahon.

“David, watch 4 for Dublin, that’s all the time,” Coldrick is told in his earpiece.

“Ok.” “Watch him David!”

“Philly, come on. It’s just a warning, Philly, that’s all,” says Coldrick as he trots by the Dublin defender.

Later in the first half, Diarmuid Connolly is booked for a lunging tackle after losing possession.

“Dave, did you see all of that? Conor here. Rough play for me, Dave from Dublin 11,” says linesman Conor Lane.

“Yellow card, Dublin 11.” Coldrick takes the appropriate action.

All-Ireland Day features not only contributions from Coldrick, but from other key figures involved in the biggest day of the Gaelic Football year.

RTÉ commentator Darragh Maloney takes us through his day, as does legendary Radio Kerry radio broadcaster Weeshie Fogarty.

But it’s the Coldrick footage that provides the most incredible insights into the intensity of a Dublin-Kerry All-Ireland final clash.

All-Ireland final day goes behind the scenes with some of the key protagonists as they prepare for and experience the biggest day of their sporting lives.

It airs next Monday evening at 9.35pm on RTÉ One.

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