Cork and Tipperary played out a tense and entertaining 1-16 to 3-13 Bord Gais Energy U21 All-Ireland final today, which saw a late Cork rally fall short as Tipperary earned revenge for their Munster Final defeat.
The closing exchanges could have been easier for Liam Cahill's side. Early in the first half, Cork's Mark Coleman was shown a yellow card after he gave away a penalty which Jake Morris expertly converted. His low drive into the ground snuck past Ger Collins.
Later in the game, with ten minutes left, Morris once again scored from a placed ball as he brought the sides level 1-12 to 1-12 with a free. However, the free was conceded by Coleman. Despite this, the referee showed his half-back partner Eoghan Murphy a yellow card. The decision proved bewildering for viewers.
What a shocking decision by the referee booking the wrong player Mark Coleman no 6 ( no 5 committed the foul )@OfficialCorkGAA should be off the field for Cork how can you get such a big call so so wrong @TipperaryGAA unacceptable
— Bernard Flynn (@bernardflynn15) August 26, 2018
Mark Coleman should be out beside his manager watching the last 10. Ref could have asked umpires or did he take the handy option?#tippvcork
— Darragh Egan (@DanganMacAogain) August 26, 2018
Mark Coleman should've had a second yellow there. Shocking decision to book the wrong man, and could be costly
— Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) August 26, 2018
How the f**k did the Ref not know it was Mark Coleman took the Tipp fella down?? Completely different colour of helmet
Big let off for Cork— Ronan Kearney (@RonanKearney1) August 26, 2018
Once again, this puts the spotlight on a crucial aspect of Gaelic games officiating. An unfortunate but no less understandable reality is that referees will make mistakes. They are human. However, the lack of assistance from linesmen and umpires ensures these mistakes become far more significant.
Consistently this year, inter-county managers have called for referees to be given greater help. "I think referees need help. The game has become so quick, and there is so much going on off the ball" said Kerry's Eamonn Fitzmaurice. "It is the one thing this association just can't seem to get right and that's officiating. Good officiating where all the officials are tuned in to what is going on around the place" said Roscommon's Kevin McStay. "Once again, the linesman is doing absolutely nothing," said Kildare's Cian O'Neill.
The phantom goal earlier this year in the Munster Championship tie between Waterford and Tipperary reconfirmed this fact. Referees are not getting the help they need. Today's mistake was a poor one, but the fact four other individuals also failed to intervene is equally concerning.
