‘Sludden can bounce back’

TYRONE chairman Ciaran McLaughlin has backed the county’s most high-profile referee, Martin Sludden, to bounce back from his Leinster football final nightmare.

Dromore official Sludden allowed Meath forward Joe Sheridan’s late goal to stand as the Wee County were denied a first Leinster senior title since 1957 at Croke Park on Sunday.

Sludden was confronted by Louth players, management and angryspectators after blowing his finalwhistle and required a Garda escort off the pitch. Sludden later admitted in his official match report that he made a mistake but Meath have held firm and will not be offering Louth a replay.