was it a free ?

[Dinny Breen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH48CMsIlv8&feature=share

Balto were a point up with two mins to go when this free was given against them. They lost by a point...

[The Worker]

it looks like the forward in the blue jersey was in for a goal had the free not been given.

[orangeman]

Ref was maybe playing for a draw, both teams go home happy, replay the following week, county board happy, but instead it went wrong and St. Patrick's sneak it in injury time ?

No free.

[brokencrossbar1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH48CMsIlv8&feature=share

Balto were a point up with two mins to go when this free was given against them. They lost by a point...

He didn't over carry the ball as he clearly didn't take the 4 steps.  The question of over holding is not clear.  The difinition is to hold the ball longer than is rewuired to take 4 steps.  He had the ball in his hands for maximum 5 seconds more likely 3-4.  I would reckon the ref was harsh in his interpretation, but it is only an interpretation rule so anything can go.

[Hardy]

I think the only possible answer, given the wording of the rule, is that it's a free if the referee says it is. The ball may be "carried in the hand for a maximum of four
consecutive steps or held in the hand for no longer than the time needed to take four steps."

What is the time needed to take four steps? Are they walking steps, jogging steps or sprinting steps? I have no idea, nor does anybody else. So the referee can decide that it's whatever he thinks it is.

My own opinion - it was a very harsh interpretation of the rule. It'd be interesting to check how consistent was his timing of ball holding through the rest of the game.

(Edit - As bc1 says).

[Dinny Breen]

He was seemingly inconsistent on the over carrying rule through the game..

Just to add some conspiracy to it, this referee had done 4 of St Pats championship fixtures and also 4 of their challenge games through the period of championship. The chairmen of the referees boards is a St Pats man...

The Balto heads are not a happy bunch....

[wildrover]

Dreadful decision...

[Keane]

Yeah looks a very bad decision to me as well, but that rule is probably the most poorly reffed of the lot unfortunately.

[LeoMc]

Do we know how many Pats players shouted "How long Ref"?

[wildrover]

Do we know how many Pats players shouted "How long Ref"?

Completely irrelevant...

Dreadful Decision...

[trueblue1234]

Do we know how many Pats players shouted "How long Ref"?

Completely irrelevant...

Dreadful Decision...

Not true, there is a direct correlation between the length of time allowed in a case like this and the number of opposion players who shout " How long ref?". But only if they throw they're hands up as well while shouting.

[Mayo4Sam]

As expecting to see Seamus Darby on this clip

[tommysmith]

That was a never a free, stick up a poll on it for the craic dinny.

[Dinny Breen]

Poll added as requested.

[LeoMc]

Do we know how many Pats players shouted "How long Ref"?

Completely irrelevant...

Dreadful Decision...

You think the referee is not influenced by player reactions?