THERE was an understandable momentary pausing of the “No cheering the press box” rule when Oisin O’Donoghue unleashed a wonder strike past Eoin Murphy.
Just like viewers nationwide, the 19-year-old sub’s moment of magic caused Marty Morrissey, John Mullane and a few other recognisable faces to lose their collective minds.
The clip was shared on The Sunday Game’s Instagram account with fans loving the raw emotion of it all despite the protagonists hailing from Clare and Waterford respectively.
Samuel hailed: “John Mullane just brings a passion to commentary on hurling. His natural gra for the game comes out.”
Similarly, Lurlene added: “I listened to it on the radio! Picture perfect audio portrait of what was happening.”
Des Cahill, Shane McGrath and Henry Shefflin were visible in the row behind with a few people noting their contrasting reactions given the latter pair’s allegiances.
Caitriona praised: “Pure gold!!! Shane Mcg reaction in the background. Magical day!”
There was a comparable scene pitchside between Jackie Tyrrell and Liam Sheedy with the former sportingly initiating a handshake with the ex-Premier boss.
Both TV pundits as well as neutral observer Ursula Jacob acknowledged that Darragh McCarthy’s second yellow card was harsh if the correct call by the letter of the law.
That slightly contentious decision has been completely overshadowed by another controversial moment however.
Human error was responsible for the scoreboard incorrectly awarding Tipperary an extra point from the 70th minute onwards. Crucially, referee James Owen did not make the same mistake.
But Kilkenny players have a right to feel aggrieved considering they chased a goal unnecessarily thinking their deficit was then four points rather than three.
While analysing how the confusion arose on The Sunday Game, Brendan Cummins noted that one umpire put his hand up to catch the sliotar as Noel McGrath’s shot went just wide while the other official signalled it was wide.
Kilkenny then had two attacks where firstly Eoin Cody and secondly John Donnelly needlessly went for goal from long-range.
Joe Canning outlined how Kilkenny’s players clearly forced the issue as they felt they were in a bigger hole than they were in actuality.
Speaking about them thinking they were initially down by four immediately after McGrath’s phantom point, he emphasized: “Psychologically that’s huge because then you feel you have to get a goal and a point.
“When you’re only two points down you’re thinking we can tap one over and then try and win the puck-out so you can tap another one over.
“So for Kilkenny’s players, psychologically, chasing three points (that late on) is way different from chasing two points.”
Later on in the programme Canning returned to just how vital Robert Doyle’s goal-line block from Donnelly’s rasping effort had been.
The Galway great added: “He’s lucky because if they got that goal at the end of the match, Kilkenny would’ve won by the referee.
“Kilkenny would’ve been a point up yet everybody in the stadium would’ve thought it was a drawn match. So he saved the GAA I’d say!”
GAA INVESTIGATION
The GAA have launched an investigation after the incident marred what was an otherwise incredible occasion.
In a statement last night, Croke Park chiefs are awaiting referee Owen’s match report to get to the bottom of the confusion.
It said: “The GAA can confirm that the official score at the end of the Tipperary v Kilkenny GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final was 4-20 to 0-30.
“The GAA acknowledges there was confusion over the final score. The CCCC is awaiting the full referees report in order to establish how the initial mistake occurred.”
