Ó Sé: 'Rewind the tape... that shouldn't be happening in this day and age. End of'

Sallins goalkeeper Matthew Farrelly checks in with Seán Ó Gairbhí of An Ghaeltacht. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

An Ghaeltacht manager Feargal Ó Sé has said video replays should be used in the policing of Gaelic football’s year-old new rules after his team almost suffered for a blatant three-up breach not penalised.

Éanna Ó Conchúir’s 83rd-minute two-point free to send An Ghaeltacht up the road to Croke Park next weekend meant Saturday’s All-Ireland intermediate club semi-final wasn’t decided and defined by the three-up breach not called in second-half injury-time, but Ó Sé still had thoughts on the matter he wanted to unspool.

As Sallins worked possession out from the back in the final minute of second-half injury-time, only one of their players was resident in the opposition half.

Ó Sé and the rest of the Gaeltacht sideline, in real time, brought the breach to the attention of match officials. 

And even after the West Kerry sideline had pointed out the fact that Sallins did not have the requisite number forward, neither the Kildare champions pushed the necessary two players into the opposition half nor the alerted sideline match officials took penalising action.

The play continued on, with Sallins landing an equaliser 34 seconds from the end of the allotted three minutes to force extra-time.

“Disappointed in the fact that we are in an All-Ireland competition. If that happened behind in Gallaros, or below in South Kerry, or up North Kerry, there'd be rack,” said Ó Sé when asked about the incident.

“But below in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and we are supposed to be recognising new rules, there's obviously going to have to be more than one person in charge of it and somebody in the ear of whoever is in charge of it. Or, if they have to, rewind the tape and watch and look because that shouldn't be happening in this day and age. End of.” 

An Ghaeltacht trailed in extra-time from the 69th to the 82nd minute. Sallins' Emmet Ralph being penalised for overcarrying possession and then penalised for not allowing Gaeltacht get hands on ball to take the free saw referee Seán Lonergan bring the free 50 metres forward to just inside the 40-metre arc.

Éanna Ó Conchúir, with his first placed-ball effort of the day, opted to bring the kick back outside the arc and successfully attempt a two-point winner.

“Éanna, he's had tough days in Gaeltacht jerseys before this, he'd be the first to admit that himself, but his name was written on that two-pointer.” Was there instruction from the line to either play matters somewhat safe and chase a white flag or go for outright glory?

“My heart was in my mouth, so I stood well back, I went up to the other side of the field and looked up into the stand. I knew Éanna was going to put his hand on it, and I said, on his day, he'll kick it. I actually didn't realise it was a two-pointer when it was kicked, I thought it was a point.

“It is great to see that young Gaeltacht players are taking ownership of Gaeltacht jerseys and they don't have to stand under the shadows of any former Gaeltacht players because they made history in their own right today that will stand the test of time.” 

Already without injured captain Franz Sauerland, An Ghaeltacht took to the field at throw-in minus four of their Munster final starters. 

All-Star Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Cathal Ó Beaglaoich, and Tomás Ó Sé were all introduced in the second-half, while there was no game-time at all for named full-back Rónan Ó Beaglaoich.

Ó Sé paid tribute to those who stepped into - and filled - such large shoes.

“It was a huge task [going in without so many starters], but I suppose it showed the strength of the panel, and as was said in the dressing-room last night, the workload has been spread evenly among players that had started up to now.

“You had JJ Mac Liam and Peter Paul Sauerland who started the county final, then lost a bit of form for whatever reason, but were back in starting jerseys again today, and played integral parts.

“Seán Ó Gairbhí [another late call-up] is an exceptional player. On his day, he is inter-county standard. He showed that in the first-half, throughout the game; turnovers, huge high balls that he gathered from the clouds. On form, he is a great lad.

“The one good thing about today is that we got the use of 23 players. We don't have to worry about lads that weren't getting games because everybody got a bit of action, which was good for them. It is hard when you have a strong enough panel, and you can only give game-time to 15-20 players. There were a couple more that got game-time today. They needed it, they deserved it. I am delighted for them.” 

Of the quartet meant to start but didn’t, Ó Sé said it will be next weekend before they know who's available and for how long.

“There's an added bonus that it is an All-Ireland final and it is a once-off game, there will be a chance to get bodies right after it.

“We are only into the start of the New Year, so lads can have a go and see where it takes them, and obviously we'll be looking after bodies and injuries and we'll get the strongest, fittest team out on the field.” 

The manager was part of the set-up that came up short to Caltra in the senior club decider 22 years ago. He hopes for a different outcome on the club’s second visit to GAA HQ.

“Our team had great days in Gaeltacht jerseys, but that was not a great day for us. But this is a different team, they are making their own history, and good luck to them.”