O'Loughlin Gaels selector Skehan slams non-goal decision in All-Ireland Final

Frustration, disappointment and regret are some of the phrases you could use to describe how O’Loughlin Gaels are feeling this week after a chance at a first ever All-Ireland Senior Title fell away in extremely difficult circumstances.

Selector Nigel Skehan couldn’t hide his dismay at the decision not to award a goal to Owen Wall in the first half when speaking afterwards.

“There was a good few talking points in the game and unfortunately there was a massive call missed in the first half with the goal decision, a ridiculous decision to be honest with you and I'm gonna be straight about it and not beat around the bush.

“How they’ve got it wrong I’ve no idea and there was other decisions, I wouldn’t think the sending off was one either to be fair to James Regan.

“There was a lot of heavy hits in the game and he was unfortunate to get a red card but the truth is we didn’t play well enough in the second half and weren’t good enough on the ball and that’s where we lost the game as we lost a bit of structure when they lost a man and it’s hugely disappointing.”

Skehan, who has experience of umpiring himself, also added that it cost his side a great start to the game on the scoreboard.

“We were bemused by the incident as it seemed like a straight forward call from our side and both umpires were standing right behind the goal.

“I’m an umpire myself and I’ve done a lot of work on it and I think their position behind the goal was very poor for the goal chance.

“We were deservingly two up at the time and a goal would have been a great tonic for us as Owen Wall took it so well when running in and how they’ve missed it I’ve no idea.”

The disappointment and the way it transpired will take some time to subside for the Kilkenny city outfit in what is their second All-Ireland final loss.

“Croke Park is a place for winners and we didn’t really reflect too much on 2011 as we probably didn’t perform to the best of our ability on that occasion.

“This was it’s own year with a different set of players and we were hell bent on winning an All-Ireland but we just came up a point short.”