Kildare's 2023 championship journey came to an end in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday evening, as they fell to a last-gasp defeat to Monaghan in the preliminary quarter-final in Tullamore.
The Lilywhites had led entering stoppage time, but two points right at the death swung the game in Monaghan's favour, and there was only a point in it by the final whistle.
It was a thrilling finish, but the game was not without controversy.
Supporters of both teams were frustrated with some of the decisions from referee Jerome Henry of Mayo, with some contentious decisions across the 70 minutes.
Speaking at full-time, Kildare manager Glenn Ryan went in on Henry, saying he was "out of his depth," and questioning the wisdom of the GAA in appointing him to the role.
READ HERE: Roscommon's Controversial Approach Cost Them Dearly In Injury Time Loss To Cork
Glenn Ryan slams referee as Kildare exit All-Ireland championship
In the aftermath of Saturday's preliminary quarter-final, the officiating in the closing stages was a topic of hot debate, with Kildare supporters questioning how Monaghan's Sean Jones had not been penalised for overcarrying after unsuccessfully calling a mark.
It's either a mark or it's not a mark. The referee decided it wasn't. Fair enough, but how in the name of God can you allow a player that many steps/time without blowing him for overcarrying 🤷♂️ #Gaa pic.twitter.com/jkyEBDDvzw
— CillDaraTimes (@CillDaraTimes) June 24, 2023
READ HERE: Monaghan Beat Kerry To Reach First All-Ireland Minor Football Final In 84 Years
As the clock ticked past the four minutes which were initially added on, the steps in question from Jones ultimately allowed him to tee up Conor McCarthy to land the decisive score and send Kildare out of the championship.
After the game, Kildare's manager Glenn Ryan spoke to the media at O'Connor Park, and said that he could not understand why Jerome Henry had been selected as the referee.
Ryan said that he felt Henry was "out of his depth," and couldn't fathom leaving David gough on the touchline as an assistant rather than having him referee the game:
Our job is to try and prepare the team and get them out on the pitch for the lads to try and do the best that they can. It's other people's jobs to make sure they get decisions right as to who officiates these games.
Funny enough someone said to me this week that this man is out of his depth - he proved tonight that he was out of his depth.
I can't understand in a big game like that, having a top class official like David Gough doing the line, who was equally scratching his head on the line with me on occasions.
But we had opportunities to win the game and we didn't take them. Our lads battled and worked hard and that's all you can ask of them.
Ryan is no stranger to an outspoken comment, having turned heads with his remarks on Dublin's Croke Park advantage earlier in the season.
Kildare can hold their heads high after a summer which saw them push Dublin to the limit in the Leinster championship, before securing second place in their All-Ireland round robin group by taking an impressive victory over Roscommon.
SEE ALSO: Watch: Audacious Piece Of Skill From Conor Whelan Sends Fans Absolutely Wild
