What should be done about the Leinster Final Fiasco?

[Zapatista]

Is there no seperate thread on the assault on the ref? Not like the gaaboard to miss that.

[kerrylions]

the game wont be replayed .the problem is at the top of the gaa we are dealing with muppets who dont know who was even playing today.the umpires should have seen that it wasnt a goal.its unfair on the players who put so much effort in to be wronged by officals who clearly arent up to performing at the highest level 

[put-it-up]

Jesus them scenes looked horrible in the Sunday game. I didnt realise that neither umpire even moved after the ball was in the net. Why didnt the ref consult them.

Louth were wobbed.

[OverThePostsAWide]

I can't but I don't think it is prohibited in the rules, is it?

There's nothing in the rules to say that the referee can't phone up RTE for their opinion either 

But both could be interpreted as undermining the authority of the referee?

I think the rule book implies that the umpire's responsibilities are intended for retrospective disciplinary purposes (e.g. cards) given that the specified emphasis being on rough play and the fact that the umpires are expected to report to the referee at the next break in play. Too late for any corrective play to be legitimately applied - see the new "advantage" rule.

Would this part of the rule you posted not cover this,

(ii) The umpires shall bring to the notice of the referee, during a break in play, any instances of foul play

Sheridan threw the ball into the net so could they not have told the ref this, during that break in play?

But supposing Sheridan had thrown the ball into another player's hands and after a further (long) period of play Meath then got their goal? The referee couldn't then legitimately call the play back - and certainly wouldn't on the call of an umpire. What constiutes a foul throw would surely be a referee's call alone? (umpires are not required to be qualified referees afterall).

I suspect from observation of common practice that referees have been told not to consult umpires or linesmen on matters of active play outside of their explicit remit (scores, wides, line balls, etc.). But it would be good to have it officially clarified ...so that we can villify the various officials involved in today's debacle appropriately 

[Zulu]

  Yeah, by the time we figure out who's to blame we'll have calmed down and won't bother posting the abusive 15 page letter to him. 

On a serious note, the fact the Joe was over the line with the ball when he threw/attempted to kick the ball would possibly fall into the realm of the umpires responsibility. Could they not have told the ref that the ball was over the line but that Joe was holding onto it at the time? Which would have made any action illegal after it.

[mckieran]

Jesus them scenes looked horrible in the Sunday game. I didnt realise that neither umpire even moved after the ball was in the net. Why didnt the ref consult them.

This is an absolute key point. Why did they not immediately put up the flag? Both knew that it was not a goal. The ref should not record the score until the flag goes up (Not sure thats an official rule but its common sense). The fact that he simply did not consult with the umpire (He just told them to put up the flag) makes me feel there might be more to this than an honest mistake.

[stevecw]

Meath co board meeting tomorrow night. They have to offer a rematch. Its only sensible solution to this.
Laois did it in 1995 when their "winning" point was proved to be well wide against us. Fair play to them it was the right thing to do. Meath have to do the same.

[The Real Laoislad]

Meath co board meeting tomorrow night. They have to offer a rematch. Its only sensible solution to this.
Laois did it in 1995 when their "winning" point was proved to be well wide against us. Fair play to them it was the right thing to do. Meath have to do the same.

Poor but proud us Laois fellas...
We knew we'd hammer ye in the replay anyways

[mckieran]

We knew we'd hammer ye in the replay anyways

If there is a replay, Metah could well hammer Louth

[kerrylions]

the umpires have a responsibility to be fair on everything they see and do.this was very simple to sort out all they had to do was call in the ref and tell him what had happened.forget all these rules its just common sense to do whats right there would have been alot more thought of them if they had put up their hand and pointed out the injustice

[u bent op uw]

From what I understand, umpires will be officials and have experience of reffing or officiating at matches. 2 points....

1. if they are experienced, they should be able to advise the ref when he is unable to pass judgement on an incident, no matter if it is technical or aggressive

2. if they are not experienced they should be in the stand, nowhere near the pitch

Martin's body language was obvious, he didn't see the incident, the nonsense rules relating to the advice he can take resulted in the farce at the end. All the officials were caught like rabbits in a headlight due to the rule book on officiating.

Louth should direct their vitriol at the rule makers, the men in white coats are certainly required.....but not anywhere near the goals.

[magpie seanie]

Its typical of the GAA. A replay is actually completely incorrect and outside the rules but its what most will settle for and what will probably happen. There is clear video evidence to rebut the referees award of the goal at the end so the CCCC (if they are doing their job) should simply award the game to Louth. Of course this won't happen. O'Rourke's little joke about what if it happen to Meath was moot. A goal would NEVER be awarded against them or the other "big" counties in the same circumstances.

[Royalranter]

I do really feel sorry for the Louth players. They have been very hard done by but I dont think there should be a replay. For one, it would set a precident for every match that involves a controversial decision to be replayed, but a second point to note is that Louth were given many very dubious frees during the match with resulted in or led to scores for Louth. Im a firm believer that these decisions tend to even themselves out over the course of a match and i believe thats whats happened today.

[magpie seanie]

I do really feel sorry for the Louth players. They have been very hard done by but I dont think there should be a replay. For one, it would set a precident for every match that involves a controversial decision to be replayed, but a second point to note is that Louth were given many very dubious frees during the match with resulted in or led to scores for Louth. Im a firm believer that these decisions tend to even themselves out over the course of a match and i believe thats whats happened today.

If you're from Meath, they do.

[Mac2]

I do really feel sorry for the Louth players. They have been very hard done by but I dont think there should be a replay. For one, it would set a precident for every match that involves a controversial decision to be replayed, but a second point to note is that Louth were given many very dubious frees during the match with resulted in or led to scores for Louth. Im a firm believer that these decisions tend to even themselves out over the course of a match and i believe thats whats happened today.

Correct and that is the nub of the problem, regardless of how outraged people are by this you just know that this would be used in less clear cut cases to force replays or matches being awarded.