REACTION: Nenagh CBS boss vents frustration at officiating after late loss in Croke Cup

The Nenagh CBS sideline after the final whistle was a grim place to be in Tulla last Saturday afternoon.

CBS manager Donach O’Donnell spent much of the aftermath consoling his players with tears flowing everywhere after the heartbreaking late loss, and speaking after to reporters, he felt the game was there to be won late on but his side just left behind them in the end.

“It was there for us,” he lamented

“We were in good shape going into the last quarter and we had several chances there near the end and we just didn’t finish them off. 

“We hadn't played well in the first half and we were still up by six points and saying that we had another goal chance and we were happy to be six up at that stage.

“A few refereeing decisions went against us as well and when you are leading by a point they all count.”

Nenagh struggled to get into a rhythm for much of the first half while playing with the gale present in Tulla and despite underperforming, they were in good shape at half-time and upped their efforts hugely in the second half as they looked to have the legs on their opponents in the final quarter.

“Our fellas are in great shape,” O’Donnell said.

“Early on they were causing us problems but the scoreboard was still okay and we went in in decent shape at half-time and coming into the last quarter of an hour, I’d say we were nearly in control at that stage.

“Everyone played well and gave their heart to it. Austin Duff was taken out with an injury and every other sub that came on did well and, to be honest, I really thought we had it.”

Several refereeing decisions were made during the final moments of the game which ultimately swung the game in Loughrea’s direction and O’Donnell didn’t hold back in his assessment of the performances of the officials late on and felt his players came in for unfair treatment with so much at stake for his young players.

“The last ball in around the square, and there were two fell around his (Eoghan Doughan) neck, the two of them were holding him as well and he (referee) gave a free out for overcarrying the ball.

“I just don’t know what the umpire is looking at. Why do we even have umpires if they’re not going to do anything?

“There were several off-the-ball incidents and there was nothing done about it, and they were in full view. I could understand if no one saw them, but when you go to an umpire or a linesman and they tell you it’s not their job. It’s ridiculous. What’s the point in having them there?

“He told me there was a minute left late on and he played an extra three minutes on top of that, so I don’t know where he got the time. Why tell me a minute and then play three?

“Darragh (McCarthy) got hit three or four times today. He has a big black eye and again, I don’t understand it.

I know it’s hard to get referees and I don’t mean to sound bitter about it but there were several decisions there today that were point-blank and very obvious. I just don’t understand it.

“And to be honest, if we won by a point I think I’d be saying the same thing.

“It was a sickening way to go out. I just feel for those young lads, they’ve given everything and to go out like that is just so, so tough,” he concluded solemnly.