Co Carlow club consider appeal over disputed score
A 15th minute shot by Tinryland's Niall Lowry could form the basis of an appeal by the club
Controversy surrounded the end of this senior football championship group 2 round 3 game at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday.
At half-time many observers had Tinryland leading by four points, 0-11 to 0-7, but it was then established that referee, Marion Hayden, only had the Wexford Road side ahead by three (0-10 to 0-7). Tinryland supporters in the stand were perplexed.
On count-back it was estimated that Niall Lowry’s 15th minute point had been waved wide by the umpire when, for many observers, it looked as if the ball had gone over the bar. Lowry had also raised a white flag six minutes before the change of ends.
Tinryland needed to win to advance to the second round and avoid the relegation play-off so when the game finished level, they were out of the championship. Official sources in the club have since confirmed that they have lodged an appeal to the County Board.
“If it is clear and obvious well then we cannot sit back. There is too much at stake,” said Tinryland chairman, Bernard Mullen on Sunday night.
“As of this minute I have no idea what is what. We are only dealing with humans but if it is clear and obvious then we have to decide.”
Even at half-time, there was dread in many of Tinryland supporters bones as they contemplated what was actually transpiring. As it turned out their worst fears were realised.
On the other hand, Tinryland manager, Mick Kehoe, concentrated on his side’s showing.
“Really, I am more concerned with our own performance and what we did. The number of wides. We deviated from the number of things which worked so well for us in the first half. We felt that whatever elements were in it, they were in our favour a little bit in the second half even though it was swirly. The concession of the goal we would be very disappointed off a ball which we should have put away at the other end. Really, we have to focus on ourselves,” he emphasised.
At one stage in the opening half, Tinryland led by five points with Diarmuid Walshe notching a two pointer. Much of what Tinryland did well involved Paddy Regan and the centre back finished up the half with two points from play.
Cian Doyle was Bagenalstown Gael’s leading forward also landing a two-pointer on 22 minutes.
The second half was tense but Robbie Kane’s 33rd minute free narrowed the gap to two points (on the scoreboard anyway). Then Jamie Clarke tangled with a player and was called to one side by the match referee. It looked a case of a routine yellow but whatever happened, Marion Hayden, started with a yellow and then pointing in the direction of the scoreboard goals, she added a red.
TC Clarke, the Bagenalstown Gaels manager said after the game his side had not received fair play.
“All we look for is a bit of consistency out there. It is no sour grapes. Tinryland do it one way. We get punished hard the other way. All we are asking for is fair play,” he said.
Clarke had a point. Lowry could have picked up a yellow or even a black for what could have been described as a cynical foul when stopping a Gaels move through the middle. Another Tinryland player also escaped without sanction for a high tackle.
Yet with fourteen players, Bagenalstown dug deep. Kane’s second point from play levelled matters with 13 minutes to go. When Doyle added a free, Bagenalstown found some rhythm and began to play well.
“I wouldn’t say it was complacency. We tried to get it into them not to be complacent. Tinryland were up for it more than we were in the first half. They had more to play for than we had. It took us until the harsh sending off to lift us. The boys did react. I think we were two or three points behind at the sending off,” noted Clarke.
It was Tinryland’s turn to find a little extra and their reward were points from Walshe and John Murphy.
Then joy for Bagenalstown Gaels when a free dropped into the edge of the Tinryland square. On hand was Danny Doyle and he somehow turned and found the target with a grass-cutting shot to the net. The goal scorers didn’t press on. Instead they hardly got their hands on the ball in the final minutes.
Points from James McGrath and Jonah Dunne for Tinryland drew them level but with the referee only playing one minute of extra time, the die was cast.
Now all eyes turn to Tinryland and the structure of their appeal.
Leaving aside what happens in the boardroom, Bagenalstown Gaels will be looking for a bit more the next time out.
“We will have to massively improve. We know there is another gear in us. There is no point having the gears if you are not going to go through them,” said Clarke.
