Glen will seek clarification after controversial end to All-Ireland club final

By Michael McMullan

GLEN will seek clarification from the GAA before making any decision on “the way forward” following the controversial finished to Sunday’s All Ireland Club final defeat to Kilmacud Crokes.

The Watties lost 1-11 to 1-9 with goalkeeper Conor Ferris making a late save to deny the Derry champions a last gasp winner.

In the next play, the last one of the game, video and photographic footage show Kilmacud Crokes’ players Dara Mullin and Paul Mannion, both replaced in the fourth minute of stoppage time, were still on the pitch when Glen launched a late 45 into the goalmouth in a bid to save the game.

Mannion was inside the sideline and footage shows Dara Mullin on the goalline when the ball arrived in the Kilmacud square, before Conleth McGuckian’s last shot whizzed wide.

It was Glen’s last throw of the dice and referee Derek O’Mahoney sounded his final whistle seconds later.

“Obviously it does make a difference. The more men they have in there, the harder it is for us to get a score out of it,” manager Malachy O’Rourke said at the press conference after the game. “We did ask the fourth official to get the free (45) retaken but it didn’t happen.

When asked if an objection was something to be pursued, he gave the following response:

“I can’t speak for the club or anything else. But I don’t think that’s the way the club operates. We had our chances; we gave it our best shot. That shouldn’t happen but at the same time I can’t speak for the club but I just think we’ll accept that we got beat on the day.”

Glen would have until 3.30pm Wednesday – three days after the game’s throw-in time – to lodge any objection to the concluding stages.

Speaking to Gaelic Life, on Sunday night, Glen Chairman Barry Slowey said the club will seek clarification and study footage from the game.

“We will be seeking clarification from the GAA and check all facts before we make any decision on the way forward and it will be a joint decision between the club and the management.”

The penalty for breach of Rule 6.44 (b) (1) – where a team exceeds 15 players – from the GAA Official Guide is:

On a proven Objection – Award of Game to the Opposing Team, or Replay, or Fine, depending on the circumstances.

On an Inquiry by the Committee-in-Charge – Forfeiture of Game without Award of Game to the Opposing Team, or Replay, or Fine, depending on the circumstances.

There is a similar penalty for using more than the allocated substitutions in a game.

Na Fianna used six subs in their 2001 Leinster Club semi-final with Sarsfields, a game the Dublin side won by six points.

The game wasn’t forfeited after Sarsfields “sportingly offered Na Fianna a re-fixture” but Na Fianna went on to win after a second replay after the refixed game ended level.