'Video technology has to come into play': Dublin boss Ger Brennan questions key decisions

Dublin boss Brennan cited referee Brendan Cawley’s calls as well as his team’s inaccuracy as the reasons for the defeat. 

Dublin manager Ger Brennan. Pic: Tom O’Hanlon

Dublin manager Ger Brennan has called for the introduction of video technology for key decisions after he felt his team fell foul of at least two decisions in this All-Ireland semi-final.

Brennan questioned the penalty call against Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne on Joe O’Connor, which David Clifford missed but he scored a goal with follow-up.

He was also adamant Seán O’Brien was in the square before Dylan Geaney kicked his point attempt. O’Brien touched the dropping ball to the net.

Later in the game, Mike Breen cleared a ball off the line with his head, although there was debate about whether the ball had crossed the whitewash.

Brennan cited referee Brendan Cawley’s calls as well as his team’s inaccuracy as the reasons for the defeat. 

“I suppose the first one, the penalty, we teach our players and coach them how to tackle as the second man coming in, have your hands down on your side.

“Obviously, Alex Gavin was putting a bit of heat on Joe O'Connor and forced Joe to turn into Peadar, and Peadar has his hands down by his side and Peadar takes the contact on the chest and then the penalty, so that was a poor decision.

“Then you have a look at the second goal and it was a square ball for Sean O'Brien. It's not my opinion. You can certainly chat about the penalty one alright, you can debate that, but certainly the, the second one was a square ball. It's not my opinion, that's just a fact.

“And then our ball, well done to Shane Murphy he had a fine game, two great saves, but, but having had a chance to look back at the video footage there, it was a goal for us as well. The referees need assistance because so much happening.” 

Brennan praised Kerry but those decisions left a sour taste with him. 

"I feel very strongly that both sets of players today and other inter-county players, even hurling as well watching some of the games, that video assisted technology has to come into play for key decisions because there were obviously three key decisions that didn't go our way today.

"If the officials had an opportunity to have just a quick look, take 30 seconds out, stop the clock, those decisions would have gone a different direction. Credit to Kerry, congratulations to them on their shooting. They just were a bit more accurate today. We'd had the guts of 10 more shots than Kerry today, just didn't go over or go in. Kerry took their opportunities."

Conceding 1-10 to the Clifford brothers was something Dublin budgeted for, Brennan said, and he was happy with his team’s resolve. “We were probably at peace with keeping Paudie and David Clifford with maybe 12, 13 points between them, which I think we probably hit give or take.

“But for the most part, I thought our defensive effort was second to none. From 1-15, the lads worked really hard to try to give a bit of cover to the full back line when possession was lost. Worked hard when we were in that low block.”