Both Limerick manager Diarmuid Mullins and Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng questioned why Hawkeye was not used during the All-Ireland U20 Hurling Championship final on Sunday.
Kilkenny defeated Limerick by a point - 0-19 to 0-18 - at Semple Stadium to claim their first title at the U20/U21 grade in 14 years.
In the 20th minute of the first half, Kilkenny half-back Paddy Langton was credited with scoring a point with a strike from midfield even though it certainly appeared that Limerick goalkeeper Conor Hanley Clarke had prevented the sliotar from going over the bar. The umpire raised the white flag, much to the annoyance of Hanley Clarke, and the game was level at six points each.
Controversial Kilkenny U20 hurling final point
20 nóim #KIKvLIM@KilkennyCLG 0-06@LimerickCLG 0-06
Tá na foirne ar chomhscór! 👌
Paddy Langton's point from distance draws Kilkenny level!@GAA_BEO | @officialgaa
#GAABEO
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/FvkX8VIelV— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 22, 2022
Mullins told TG4 after the game that from his vantage point on the sideline, he could not see whether it was a point.
"I'm not going to make excuses around it," he said after being told by TG4 presenter Micheál Ó Domhnaill that it almost certainly was not a valid score.
"I'm sure there's Hawkeye for the second game (Tipperary vs Cork in the Munster SHC), so why wouldn't it be in use for the first game? It would be disappointing if that's the case.
"I don't think it comes down to that point, but equally, we would have preferred if it wasn't given. From the sideline, it looked like Conor controlled it, but the umpire was right beside it. If he made a mistake, it's a poor mistake to make from there, but nobody goes out to intentionally make a mistake like that."
Lán Ama #KIKvLIM
“Kilkenny were worthy winners, we can't have any complaints!” 👌👊
Smaointí bainisteoir Luimnigh, Diarmuid Mullins@GAA_BEO | @officialgaa
#GAABEO
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/e8ylXdtlRw— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 22, 2022
Being asked about the controversial point during his post-match interview was the first that Lyng had heard about it.
"In a one-point game, they would [feel aggrieved]," he said regarding Limerick.
"I'll have to get my head around that one. For now, there's nothing we can do about it anyway. They have Hawkeye here, so they should be getting it right."
"I'll have to get my head around that one"
Seo a bhí le rá ag Derek Lyng nuair a chuala sé scór conspóideach Paddy Langton! #GAA #GAABeo pic.twitter.com/7CmK4Ua6JG— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 22, 2022
22 May 2022; Limerick goalkeeper Conor Hanley Clarke reacts after Kilkenny were awarded their sixth point by match officials during the oneills.com GAA Hurling All-Ireland U20 Championship Final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
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