WATCH: O'Mahony red in Cardiff sparks anger among Six Nations fans

Ireland flanker Peter O’Mahony received a straight red card in the opening quarter against Wales in Sunday’s Six Nations clash at the Principality Stadium.

The 31-year-old cleared out Wales prop Tomos Francis at a breakdown in the 14th minute but was ruled by referee Wayne Barnes to have made initial contact with his head.

Barnes told O’Mahony he had no choice but to show the Munster star red and he left the field showing little emotion.

REACTION

Wayne Barnes initial reaction was “it’s a clear out, there’s nothing wrong, totally unavoidable” next minute after seeing the TMO footage pulls out the red card for O’Mahony. It’s a red card every day of the week!

— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) February 7, 2021

Peter O’Mahony entering a ruck pic.twitter.com/qVGnB0Szat

— Dai Lama (@WelshDalaiLama) February 7, 2021

Head contact a massive focus for referees in this Six Nations.

That’s a red card.

— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) February 7, 2021

Ireland manifestly improved since the O’Mahony red. #WALvIRE

— Delme Parfitt (@delmeparfitt) February 7, 2021

#bbcrugby #ITVRugby #WALvIRE

O😱U😱C😱H!!! That tackle l👀ked bad 😳💥🥴even at normal speed
BUT slo-mo it’s a💯times worse🙈 & as it’s an elbow straight to the head, Ref had no option to issue the ♦️👉

O’Mahony is not a dirty player but he got that tackle completely wrong pic.twitter.com/qdSevApawE

— Paul Leonard 🐝 (@pdl2203) February 7, 2021

Coming in as favourites against Wales.

O’Mahony red, Ryan off injured, not even 30 mins gone. pic.twitter.com/f2KK636LNK

ADVERTISEMENT

— Jonathan (@JFitzpatrick92) February 7, 2021

If O’Mahony’s was a red (and it was) then Williams tackle earlier was worth another look too. #WALvIRE

— Three Red Kings (@threeredkings) February 7, 2021

Not sure how this tackle from Johnny Williams on Gary Ringrose wasn’t looked at by the TMO?! 🤷🏼‍♂️ #WALvIRE pic.twitter.com/Xn5ZbBL4Oz

— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) February 7, 2021

And people wanted O’Mahony captain. Let his team down. Totally unacceptable #SixNations #WALvIRE

— Deniese O’Flaherty (@deniese_o) February 7, 2021

Stupid hit from Peter O’Mahony. Definite red, going to be a long afternoon for @IrishRugby

— Chris Phillips (@ChrisPhil1992) February 7, 2021