Down forward Benny Coulter scored the decisive goal after twelve minutes of yesterday’s All-Ireland semi-final, but has since been the subject of much controversy after he appeared to enter the ‘square’ in front of goal before fisting the ball over Kildare ‘keeper Shane McCormack.
Speaking to RTE Sport after the match, Coulter admitted that he had entered the square: “To be honest I think I was (in the square). I watched it on the big screen after and I think I was standing in it. These things go with you and sometimes they don’t. Thankfully today they went with us.”
Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney was harsh on GAA administrators when talking to the Belfast Telegraph, claiming that his own side had been the victim of a harsh disciplinary call. “We have spent the last two weeks being told that (assistant manager) Aidan O’Rourke crossed the line 22 times or 23 times (O’Rourke spent the match in the stands banned from the sideline).”
McGeeney says that Coulter’s goal was a close call. “You are on about margin calls — whether the ball was in play or whether it wasn’t. We have a fella who watches that. And they can’t tell whether a ball is over the bar, or they can’t tell if it was a square ball.”
“That’s administration. It’s a shame because you’re taking away from people like Benny Coulter who shows great courage going for those type of balls and from the work rate of Danny Hughes and Kalum King. Down were outstanding today. You can’t take it away from them.”
