Kilmacud Crokes have claimed a first All-Ireland title since 2009, defeating Glen on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-9 at Croke Park this afternoon.
It was an excellent game between two very good sides, one that genuinely could have went either way. Both teams were ahead at various stages throughout the contest, with the game very much in the balance as we entered the closing stages.
In the end, a couple of excellent late scores and a top save from goalkeeper Conor Ferris was enough to get the Dublin champions over the line.
60 +3 nóim@KCrokesGAAClub 1-11@WattyGrahamsGAA 1-09
Sábháil den scoth ag deireadh an cluiche ó Conor Ferris!
Fantastic save! 👌
#GAABEO @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/BNoGSoLlni— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) January 22, 2023
Glen were understandably heartbroken at the final whistle, with images circulating after the game suggesting that they had a right to feel aggrieved.
Question marks hang over Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland win
With Glen chasing a goal in injury time to win the game, they lined up a big 45' in the aftermath of Ferris' save.
They ended up playing it short and flashing a shot just wide, but it has now emerged that Kilmacud may have had an extra man on the pitch for this pivotal play.
They made a number of changes just before this moment and it appears as though they may have taken off one less player than they should have.
In a shot from behind the goal, it suggests that they had 16 men on the pitch as the dead ball was taken.
It looks like Kilmacud Crokes might have had 16 players on the pitch for the final play of the game? Uh oh... pic.twitter.com/bNjuaitV1D
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) January 22, 2023
A potentially big miss from the officials.
In fact, it looks like they may technically have had 17 players on the pitch at that moment.
For the record, Kilmacud Crokes had 17 players on the pitch at the end, not 16.
63 min:
➡️10 Fox on. 20 Mannion off.
➡️ 19 Casey on. 14 Mullin supposed to go off.
Mannion had not left the field when Tallon kicked the 45 (ref's arm still in the air)
Mullin was on the line pic.twitter.com/g0MFpcaXA4— Maurice Brosnan (@m_brosnan) January 22, 2023
A number of viewers seemed to spot the mistake in the aftermath of the game.
Kilmacud Croke’s had 16 players on the pitch for the final play… ?�@GAA_BEO � pic.twitter.com/PTdHuooSdN
— Daragh Bass (@standout_media) January 22, 2023
Kilmacud had *16* men on the pitch when that last 45 went in from @WattyGrahamsGAA. Outrageous cheating from Crokes and total shabbiness from the referee. That 45 should have been retaken when the ref knew the second man hadn’t gone off. #gaa #GAABEO
— Karen Dervan (@dervan8r) January 22, 2023
Congratulations to the 16 men of Kilmacud Crokes for seeing out the All-Ireland club final today.
— Ciarán 🇵🇸 (@Call_Me_Ciaran) January 22, 2023
Did Kilmacud Crokes have 16 players on the pitch for that final play? This image suggests so pic.twitter.com/dZvdSJmWGU
— OurGame.ie (@OurGameHQ) January 22, 2023
16 kilmacud players on the pitch for the last Glen free?! #GAABEO pic.twitter.com/yEXghbjzcy
— Amanda Keane (@amandatreanor1) January 22, 2023
16 Kilmacud players on pitch!? pic.twitter.com/K5Y6guwrqX
— Darran Marshall (@DarranMarshall) January 22, 2023
Dear @officialgaa, please investigate whether Kilmacud Crokes had 16 players on the pitch for the second half of today’s final.
— Tory Fibs (@ToryFibs) January 22, 2023
Interesting image. Kilmacud had 16 players on the field defending Glen's last attack. pic.twitter.com/RqFrmcg0jk
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) January 22, 2023
It remains to be seen what will come of this, although teams have sought replays of games after similar incidents in the past.
On a day that is meant to highlight all that is good about Gaelic games, this could potentially supply the GAA with a headache that they certainly didn't need.
SEE ALSO: GAA Fans Were Furious Over Condition Of Croke Park Pitch For All-Ireland Club Finals
