You are the ref – John Bannon

Kelly spot on except for last call

Galway’s Joe Canning scores the equalising point at the death in yesterday's All-Ireland SHC final. Picture: Inpho

Considering how well he had performed, it was disappointing for Barry Kelly that he incorrectly awarded Galway what turned out to be the equalising free in injury-time yesterday.

I mean, up until then, the Westmeath man had an excellent performance in his third All-Ireland final. He was in total control, protected the players and was consistent throughout. He was also helped by the teams and their determination to play the game in a great spirit.

For all the talk and fears about the game descending into ugly cynical hurling, none of it materialised.

In the cold light of day, both sets of supporters will be happy to have another day out on September 30.

However, Davy Glennon should never have been awarded a free in those dying stages. Jackie Tyrrell didn’t foul him.

It definitely wasn’t a free but then Galway may have their own reasons to grumble about the awarding of Richie Power’s point in the 42nd minute.

There was a disagreement between the umpires in what call to make before Kelly consulted them and awarded the score.

From where I was sitting in the Hogan Stand, I couldn’t say whether it was a point or not but it has to be mentioned because the game ended in a draw.

Kelly otherwise got so many things right on the biggest day. In the 23rd minute, he was spot-on when blowing up Eoin Larkin for pulling down David Collins.

In the 37th minute, David Herity touched the ball on the ground after he was put under pressure by the Galway attack and Kelly saw that too.

But two frees really summed up Kelly’s acumen. In the 43rd minute, he whistled Kieran Joyce for a push on James Regan.

Then, two minutes later, he punished Niall Donoghue for holding Richie Power’s hurley.

Those type of fouls have largely gone unnoticed or ignored in recent times and it was refreshing to see Kelly wasn’t going to let them go as they were genuine fouls.

Kelly pulled up each side for either attempting to slow down play after frees had been given against them or shown dissent by bringing frees forward.

On one occasion, Fergal Moore was fouled by Henry Shefflin but it should have been brought forward 13 metres after the Kilkenny player deliberately delayed moving away from the ball.

Had it been brought that bit closer to the Kilkenny goal, Galway would have been in range of a free.

As a general comment, it takes a brave linesman to advise a referee to yellow card a player. With management around him, it can be intimidating.

However, James McGrath had the strength to make that call against a Kilkenny player even though he then had some members of their management and a county board official keen to express their views about it.

On getting home yesterday evening, the one moment I was keen to see a replay of was Niall Burke’s goal and his pick-up before he struck the ball. But it was completely legitimate and another compliment to Kelly’s officiating.

In the 61st minute, James Skehill was rightly whistled for laying on a ball and a 20-metre free was given.

However, Johnny Coen had thrown his hurley in that play and should have picked up a second yellow card after an earlier caution.

The penalty decision against Skehill was also a correct decision after he had fouled Eoin Larkin.

So, with the protocol being that there is a change of referee for a replay, the members of the national referees panel will be waiting for the all important call to come their way.

Kelly yesterday gave an example that should be followed.