AllIreland

The GAA has admitted there was “confusion” over the final score of Tipperary’s All-Ireland Hurling Championship semi-final win over Kilkenny.

The full-score at Croke Park has been confirmed as a 4-20 to 0-30 victory for Tipp, but it had been recorded as a 4-21 to 0-30 win.

The confusion came after Tipperary midfielder Noel McGrath’s effort in the 70th minute was waved wide but was registered as a point on the scoreboard in the stadium – which left the eventual winners with 4-21.

That left Kilkenny chasing a goal in the closing stages thinking they were four points behind, when in theory they could have taken points to draw level in additional time as there were three points between the sides.

“The GAA can confirm that the official score at the end of the Tipperary v Kilkenny GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final was 4-20 to 0-30,” the statement read.

“The GAA acknowledges there was confusion over the final score.

“The CCCC is awaiting the full referees report in order to establish how the initial mistake occurred.”

Speaking on the GAA Social podcast, two-time All-Ireland winner Jamesie O’Connor said: “This type of thing shouldn’t happen, especially at Croke Park.

“If it’s three points with four minutes left you are more inclined to tap it over the bar. With the time that was there Kilkenny have every right to feel aggrieved.

“It shouldn’t take away from Tipp’s win, which was merited, but this type of controversy, in a game of this magnitude and at headquarters with the technology that is available to us, it shouldn’t have happened.”

When asked if he would go off the scoreboard in the stadium if he was playing at Croke Park, Limerick’s five-time All-Ireland winner Seamus Flanagan said: “100%”.

“It has a massive bearing on the game, it really does,” he added.

Where to begin? It’s got to be the second game on Sunday as defending champions Armagh face Kerry in a repeat of last year’s semi-final.

That game required extra-time and nerves of steel, but the Orchardmen got there by two points on their way to claiming the big prize. As a result, Kerry will have revenge on their minds.

The Kingdom had 10 points to spare when they grabbed the league points in Tralee back in March, but both teams will have a different look on Sunday as success will only be measured for the year by the end of July.

Armagh may have came up short on Ulster final day for a third year running, but they bounced back in the All-Ireland group stage with wins over Derry and Dublin to see them through to the last eight with a game to spare and even in defeat to Galway two weeks ago, there were plusses despite Barry McCambridge and Paddy Burns called ashore early on after picking up knocks.

Kerry also lost the last of their group games, stunned by Meath in Tullamore, but unlike Armagh, this came with repercussions as they were forced into second and therefore had to return to action last week when they swatted Cavan aside with David Clifford netting a hat-trick of goals.

His form is central to Kerry hopes and Jack O’Connor will have been delighted to get Paudie Clifford back on the field, but they did lose Mike Breen and Diarmuid O’Connor prior to throw-in to add to their injury woes.

It came down to fine margins last year and it will undoubtedly be the same this time around with Kerry ravenous for an ambush, while Armagh is not ready to relinquish their title yet.

Donegal have said that it is “most regrettable” and “very disappointing” that their request to play their All-Ireland quarter-final against Monaghan on Sunday was denied.

Jim McGuinness’ side face Monaghan on Saturday in the first of the double-header of last eight ties at Croke Park that day with throw-in set for 16:00 BST before Tyrone face Dublin in the later game.

Meath take on Galway whilst holders Armagh face Kerry on Sunday at the same venue.

This is despite Donegal requesting a Sunday fixture to have an extra day’s recovery as the last eight tie will be a ninth Championship match in the space of 12 weeks for the county.

It is schedule that McGuinness admitted after their preliminary quarter-final win against Louth on Sunday, was “gruelling”.

In a statement from the county board, Donegal were critical of the decision to deny their request.

“No other county has played as many matches as Donegal in this year’s Championship. To compound the physical and mental demands, those eight games have been played within an 11-week window,” the statement said.

“Match number nine comes this Saturday less than 12 weeks after playing Derry in the Ulster Championship preliminary round on 6 April.

“On that basis, we thought it wholly reasonable and full justified to seek an extra day recovery time for our players this weekend,” the statement continued.

“Donegal concludes that it is most regrettable and very disappointing that our request has been turned down. We feel the welfare of our players was not adequately considered in the decision-making process.”