TJ Ryan says ref’s decision to allow John Conlan’s early goal was ‘a disgrace’

Limerick manager TJ Ryan deemed Fergal Horgan’s decision to allow John Conlon’s first minute goal as “a disgrace”.

The Limerick boss said the Clare man took too many steps before striking the ball past Nickie Quaid.

Ryan felt the score was the main difference between the sides, while he acknowledged Barry Nash’s dismissal also impacted on their chances.

“The goal was a disgrace of a decision. Clare started the better and that score kind of stayed all the way through. The sending off had an effect on the game.

“We were chasing our tails all the way through the second half and our lads battled hard, chased everything down and we were trying to get it back to three.

“We had a couple of chances and they had a few chances as well and things went against us. I’m very disappointed.”

Asked to expand on the call to allow the goal to stand, Ryan responded: “He took 15 steps and sticks the ball in the back of the net.” Informed of Ryan’s comments, Davy Fitzgerald claimed there were decisions that fell in Limerick’s favour too.

“Ah, if we could go in and look at the steps in the game I could count 20 examples of where steps are taken all over the place.

“I think there’s very little between Clare and Limerick but today I definitely think we deserved our victory, steps or no steps.” Fitzgerald said the lack of criticism from within the county during the campaign helped his players. “This is March 20 and let’s not fool ourselves, okay? We’re happy and I’m happy for our supporters in Clare.

“I think they’ve been great and the one thing I’ve noticed in all our games is that we’ve got no stick and there’s been no pressure put on the team and I really admire that about our supporters.

“They got behind the team today and even from a management and team point of view, once you’re positive and behind your team it makes a difference.”