Could this have made a difference? Cork overcame Clare in a tight Allianz National Hurling League clash in Páirc Uí Rinn, eventually running out winners on a scoreline of 1-20 to 0-20. While it was an excellent win for Cork over a fancied Clare side, one major talking point emerged from the game.
With the scores level and seven minutes remaining on the clock, Tony Kelly knocked over what looked to be a super score to give his side the lead. However after the umpires conferred, the shot was waved wide. On inspection of the replay, the ball definitely went between the uprights.
After conferring, the umpires decided this Tony Kelly shot slid wide - Cork ultimately won by three points. Watch full highlights on Allianz League Sunday (9.30pm) tomorrow pic.twitter.com/y1PibklOxg
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 16, 2019
While a solitary point may not have made a difference in what was a three point victory for Cork, a Clare score at this stage could have had a major impact on the outcome of the game. It would have given them something to hold onto entering the final few minutes, and we could have had a much different outcome on our hands.
Speaking after the game, Donal Og Cusack said we the colour of the sliothar needs to changed in order to make life easier for umpires:
‘The ball is the wrong colour...it needs to be a ball that can be seen’ - Donal Og has his say after it appeared Clare had a point chalked off as a wide by the match officials pic.twitter.com/PtkZFsjvRP
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 16, 2019
This is a point worth making. The ball is the wrong colour, simple as that. It needs to be a ball that can be seen, I'm dead serious about that...
On a serious level, it's like tennis. Tennis used to be a white ball, and they changed the ball to make it easier for people, player, tv, to see it. I know Croke Park are looking at it, but it can't come soon enough that change of ball, to give everybody that little bit of help, umpires included.
