Jack O'Connor pointed to referee Joe McQuillan's decision to disallow a Kerry goal late in the first half as having a crucial bearing on the outcome of yesterday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final.

The Cavan official deemed that Donncha Walsh had executed an illegal hand-pass in the build-up to Killian Young's goal, a decision which infuriated the Kerry manager.

"It came at a time when we had fought back very well. I had prophesised when that rule was brought in that some day it would cost a team big-time. I'm not saying that it cost us the game but it was a crucial, crucial call at the time and desperately disappointing," he said.

O'Connor also pointed to the absence of the suspended duo Paul Galvin and Tomas O Se as having not helped the Kingdom's cause.

"You're talking about about a current player of the year and a former player of the year missing," he added.

"Any team is going to miss them, aren't they? Things needed to go right for us but they went haywire for us at times. It wasn't a surprising result."

O'Connor refused to be drawn on his future or the future of some of Kerry's more senior players, while he also paid tribute to the victors.

"Today isn't the day to be talking about decisions. We're just very disappointed. You need to let these things thaw a bit. Let it thaw a bit and settle. Fellas can make up their minds then."

He continued: "I don't want any sour grapes today. Today was a day that Down were the better team, a fresher, more vibrant team. They came here hungry for the win and I think overall they deserved it." Tweet

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