Hamill 'flabbergasted' by officiating after Cork City's frustrating draw with Sligo

Cork City manager Tim Clancy was suspended for the game against Sligo, meaning his assistant Jamie Hamill took over the touchline duties.

BAFFLING: Cork City assistant manager Jamie Hamill called a decision to not award his side a penalty for a handball by Sligo's John Mahon as "laughable". Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Jamie Hamill was left ‘baffled, flabbergasted, and frustrated’ after Cork City had a series of penalty claims waved away and a goal ruled out in their 1-1 draw with 10-man Sligo Rovers.

The most blatant saw centre-back John Mahon stretch out his hand while lying on the ground to save a Ruairí Keating shot.

Keating had another handball shout against Reece Hutchinson turned down and Rio Shipston was awarded a free-kick rather than a penalty when fouled on the line by Connor Malley.

Referee Eoghan O’Shea also chalked off a first-half goal for Charlie Lyons impeding teenage keeper Conor Walsh.

City manager Tim Clancy was suspended for this contest due to his exchange with Damien Mac Graith after Monday’s loss to Waterford so Hamill took over the touchline duties.

The Scottish assistant manager was booked for his protests during another controversial tie.

“We could’ve had at least three or four penalties and the disallowed goal,” said Hamill. “It’s a different story if the consistency level from the referee is right.

“The goal being disallowed, I’ve seen it five or six times and I still don’t know why it’s been disallowed.

“There’s a goalkeeper, defender, and Charlie, and I don’t think Charlie puts his hand anywhere near the goalkeeper’s face or anywhere near him. It’s one that got away from us. We’re sitting here baffled.

“With Rio’s one, when we’ve seen it, he’s actually made the tackle on the line. I asked the fourth official, ‘If it’s on the line, is it a penalty?’ He said yes. It’s there to see. We’re just left flabbergasted.

“The boy (Mahon) made a great save to his left-hand side as well. It’s laughable. I’m frustrated, laughing, how we've not got a penalty.

“It’s blatant to see. They’re easy decisions that a referee should just get right.

“We're looking for a wee bit of consistency from referees but, for me, I don't understand why he's not seen any. Maybe one, you can understand, but two, three, four, it's beyond me.

“It's just not good enough.” 

Sligo substitute Conor Reynolds was sent off by O’Shea within a minute of his introduction as his first involvement was a reckless tackle on Malik Dijksteel, who was left limping back to the dugout.

The winger joins Seani Maguire and Greg Bolger on the treatment table after their injuries against Waterford.

“Malik got a sore one, especially when you’ve advertising boards and concrete beside the pitch. We’ll monitor it,” said Hamill.

“Hopefully, it’s not too serious because we are short on numbers at the minute.

“With Seani and Greg, it's still early doors. We've had results back and things like that but we're just waiting for different people to get eyes on them.

“We’re hopeful that they’ll be back but we just have to wait and see.”