GAA tell Kilkenny County Board scoreboard error 'should never have occurred'

UNACCEPTABLE: Croke Park scoreboard at the end of the All-Ireland semi-final. Pic: Maurice Brosnan

The Kilkenny County Board were told by the GAA the scoreboard error that impacted them in this year’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final was “unacceptable” and “should never have occurred”.

In his report to Kilkenny’s annual convention on Monday night, county secretary Seamus Reade highlighted that Croke Park agreed what befell the county was wrong.

Shortly after the game, the Cats received a written apology from Croke Park for Noel McGrath’s 70th minute score attempt erroneously being awarded as a point.

The score was later struck from the official scoreline, which read 4-20 to 0-30, but in real time it had put Tipperary into a four-point lead and Kilkenny were led to believe they required a goal in the additional time.

Reade wrote: “There was no doubt that Kilkenny’s tactical approach in those closing minutes was to chase a goal not knowing that the actual deficit was just two points. There were several incidents in those closing minutes where Kilkenny clearly turned down point opportunities.

“The irony here is that a John Donnelly effort, which beat the Tipp goalkeeper and was cleared off the line by a defender, could have resulted in a one-point loss for Tipperary.

“The GAA subsequently apologised to Kilkenny stating that ‘it was unacceptable that this should happen on one of the biggest days of the year in Croke Park’.

“They further went on to say that ‘they were acutely aware and did not take for granted the levels of preparation and sacrifice that go into getting a team to progress this deep into a Championship season only for it to end in what ultimately were circumstances beyond Kilkenny’s control and which should never have occurred’.”

Tipperary’s Noel McGrath looks on after a late shot was counted on the scoreboard as a point but was adjudged to be wide by the umpires. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie.

Finance-wise, Kilkenny reported a surplus of €330,433 for 2025 in contrast to a €117,909 deficit last year. Key reasons for that were gate receipts/streaming/TV increasing by over €157,000 to €452,607 and rent and income from associated bodies climbing over €330,000 to €839,545.

That jump was largely due to a provincial coaching grant of €331,358.

Team expenditure was down to €1.121 million from €1.256m in 2024 and the third year in a row where savings were made. Team management and selectors (€61,904) and backroom team personnel (€247,858) costs made up €309,762.

As part of the collective voluntary tax disclosure agreed between Croke Park and Revenue, Kilkenny’s total for the 2021-24 period was calculated at €12,629 including interest and has been paid.

Reade paid tribute to outgoing, long-standing treasurer Barry Hickey for the small liability.

“The relatively successful outcome to recent Revenue Self Audit bears testimony to his attention to detail over his tenure.” Hickey will move to the position of assistant treasurer.

Reade also addressed the verbal abuse referees have received at games in the county.

“It is disappointing to note that the level of verbal abuse encountered by referees in 2025 has increased. Continuation of this trend impacts on our ability to recruit volunteers.”

A similar point was made by Limerick GAA secretary Mike O’Riordan in his annual report.

“We have seen an increase in disciplinary cases this year with referees and members of his official party being abused with threatening language and behaviour. This is unacceptable and would see this as a major deterrent for people getting involved.”

Echoing a point he made last year, O’Riordan added that the shortfall of match officials in the county “is at crisis point and I would urge clubs to identify people within the club that might be suitable for the role.

“We have received justified criticism for the lack of full refereeing teams at games this season and all I can say is the referees are not there.”