Shels boss, Dermot Keely, threatened to quit his post after watching O'Regan dismiss both Jim Gannon and Peter Hutton in a remarkable 20 minute spell, which effectively handed Rovers the three points.
However, Richardson backed O'Regan, saying he believed that the decision to dismiss Gannon, at least, for his tackle on Rovers captain, Derek Tracy, was the right one. "Jim's (Gannon) tackle on Derek (Tracy) was a bad tackle and I don't think the refereee had much of a choice but to send the player off," insisted Richardson. "I know Jim a long time and I have to say, that it was not a typical tackle from him.
"Derek had to be stretchered off and was released from hospital on Thursday with a large number of stitches both internally and externally. I think that alone proved the decision was the correct one."
The Rovers supremo admitted that he sympatised with Keely. "Shels never had a hope once Jim was sent off. It effectively ended the game, so I can see why Dermot was so frustrated."