It was one of the most entertaining matches in recent GAA history as Galway beat Armagh on penalties yesterday to progress to the All-Ireland SFC semifinal. The game was overshadowed by a mass brawl and an awful eye gouging incident but it was the topic of an All-Ireland SFC quarterfinal being decided on penalties that Sean Cavanagh disagreed with.
Stefan Campbell and Conor Turbitt missed from the spot with Galway's Shane Walsh, Damien Comer, Rob Finnerty and Matthew Tierney all scoring to knock Armagh out.
It was the first time penalties were used to decide an All-Ireland quarterfinal, and one of the big discussion points after the game was how cruel it was on Armagh to have their Championship ended by spot-kicks.
Cavanagh slams penalties in the GAA
This debate was picked up on The Sunday Game last night.
Speaking on The Sunday Game after the match, the five-time All-Star said:
"At this stage of a championship I think it's totally unacceptable to lose an All-Ireland quarterfinal on penalties. It's not the fundamental skills of the game and we all were looking for more. We saw probably the best game of football in I can't even remember how long and I think bringing those two teams back to fill Croke Park again next weekend would have been what everyone wanted.
"I think it's a disgrace that Armagh are out of the championship based on kicking five penalties. You know these skills aren't the skills we typically coach our players with."
“It’s totally unacceptable to lose an All-Ireland quarter-final on penalties.”
Sean Cavanagh says it's a "disgrace" Armagh were eliminated from the championship on spot kicks. #SundayGame #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/EBlLG8Mc7i— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 26, 2022
The former Tyrone captain also spoke about the knock on effect that extra time and penalties had on the following game between Mayo and Kerry, saying "it ruined a brilliant day of football."
"It had a knock on effect on the next game, I would argue maybe the quality of the next game, because I think the players were playing an hour fifteen after they were supposed to be playing. It ruined a brilliant day of football in some respect."
Despite the win for Galway, manager Padraic Joyce shared the opinion of Sean Cavanagh and slammed the use of penalties in the GAA.
Speaking to RTÉ radio after the game, Joyce said:
"It's a horrible way to lose it but it's not the fault of the Armagh players, it's the fault of the GAA. This condensed season, it's beggar's belief why we couldn't go and play a replay next weekend. I know that's simple for me to say because we won the game, but that was my overriding feeling at halftime.
"No matter what team won, it's no way to win a championship match. For the hard work they have put in over the last couple of years, Kieran has put a lot of work in, Galway have put a lot of work in."
The win for Galway now sees all four provincial winners make up the semifinals, with Kerry facing Dublin on Sunday July 10th and Galway playing Derry the day before.
SEE ALSO: Tense Exchange Between Kieran McGeeney And BBC Journo After Armagh Loss
