A couple of observations and one query arising from yesterday's final... For the first Tipp penalty (it was down in front of me and I had a good view if it!), the foul started outside the box and continued inside the box, B Kelly gave a penalty. To me, a great decision - he's perfectly entitled to let play go until the player reaches the box and then give the penalty for the foul inside the box - giving all the advantage to the attacking player.
Regarding the final free, I haven't seen a replay and it was a long way from me, my impression was that Brian Hogan had caught it twice and continued to carry it into the tackle, asking for trouble...
Kelly was brave enough to penalise forwards who 'burrowed' into defenders, a trend I'd love to see continued.
One incident I'd like to ask for advice on - he awarded Tipp a free out for a challenge on D Gleeson, but reversed his decision on what seemed to be the advice of his umpire who told him (correctly as it happens) that Gleeson picked the ball off the ground. Is the umpire entitled to intervene on a technical foul like this? I would have thought not but maybe somebody with recent knowledge of umpire/referee guidelines might enlighten me?
As a neutral, it was a privilege to be at that match (brilliant thinking by the GAA to email season ticket holders from other counties to inform them of available tickets on Friday!). I had a Tipp man beside me bellowing for a black card for JJ Delaney for throwing his hurl, I didn't have the heart to tell him there wasn't a black card in hurling, as well as a Kk fan who continually berated his own county's minors for every mistake they made, we all have them I suppose!
Finally on hurling rules, the sooner the advantage rule is brought in to hurling, the better. As things stand, am I right in saying that a referee has no choice other than to blow for a free immediately or to let play go where any possible advantage might be lost?
Jaysis 1914, where have you been? There has been an advantage rule all year. But it's not being used properly. Referees are playing advantage when there is none.
For me, throwing the hurl should be a straight red card. It drives me bananas seeing players only getting a yellow for throwing something which could maim somebody.
Finally, I too didnt think the umpire could call a free like the one on Darren Gleeson, but what we need here are umpires who are referees who can call that sort of free.
Well Pinkie, I've been abroad as it happens! Missed the double-header with your good selves but I'm looking forward to Thurles on Saturday. Does the advantage rule apply in both huing and football then? As in, the ref can allow play develop and then bring it back if no advantage ensues? In my ignorance, I thought it was like the black card and applied to football only for now.
Any chance of bringing J Guiney and C McDonal out for a few pints and a snack box on Friday night?!