GAA: Douglas adamant they won Munster title

THE controversy following the Munster Club Senior Football League final, in which Douglas are adamant they defeated Austin Stacks by a point only to be told by Waterford referee Sean Michael Kelly the game was a draw, rages on.

The danger of not having a scoreboard in operation was highlighted when everyone in the Naomh Aban venue in Ballyvourney, including the opposition, were convinced Douglas had won a teak tough final.

But referee Kelly declared the game a draw and in the furore after the final whistle no extra-time was played, leaving the organisers with the headache of sorting out the issue.

They still await the referee’s report and until that arrives no decision will be taken.

Last night a clearly still annoyed Douglas issued the following statement in relation to events which occurred in the second-half.

“At half-time the referee confirmed the scoreline of 1-7 to Douglas and 0-4 to Austin Stacks.

“In the 34th minute Gary McLoughlin scored a goal for Douglas.

“In the 38th minute Barry Fitzgerald was fouled on the edge of the square. The free taken by Willie Coveney was converted. The umpire waved the white flag indicating a point. The Austin Stacks goalkeeper kicked out the ball from the 20 metre line.

“In the 50th minute Ferghal O’Sullivan fisted a point. This was confirmed by the raising of the white flag by the umpire. The goalkeeper again kicked out the ball from the 20 metre line. This gave Douglas a total score of 2-9.

“This scoreline was confirmed by all reporters present, the PRO and the vice-chairman of the Munster Senior League Committee, the secretary, players and others associated with Austin Stacks.

“We believe the referee made a genuine error. We are bewildered as to how a genuine score flagged as such by the umpire and kicked out from the 20 metre line was not recorded by the referee.

“For this competition to have any integrity the scoreline of 2-9 to 1-11 in favour of Douglas must stand.

“We had a tough and fair encounter with our neighbours from Kerry. Their players and mentors were gracious in defeat. As far as we are concerned the competition ended on Sunday and we emerged victorious by the narrowest of margins.

“The onus is now on those in authority to ensure justice is done.”

Austin Stacks, too, were last night meeting on the issue but no statement was issued.