‘Absolute disgrace’ – anger at GAA county final as mistaken two-point calls decide outcome

With the Championship just around the corner, it remains to be seen if Erne Gaels have the appetite for or the right to an appeal or a replay

There was huge controversy at the end of a county senior league final on Sunday as a couple of late incorrectly called two-pointers decided the outcome. Fermanagh powerhouses Derrygonnelly Harps were facing 2024 county champions Erne Gaels in the division one league final at Brewster Park.

It was nip and tuck throughout but Erne Gaels looked like winners when they held a 0-12 to 0-8 lead with 15 minutes remaining. Derrygonnelly landed a couple of two point scores from outside the new scoring arc to close the gap but Erne Gaels still led by two with less than four minutes left.

It was then that the huge moments of controversy came and it decided the outcome in the end.

Derrygonnelly’s Jarlath Flanagan scored a point with just over three minutes left to play when the scoreboard read Derrygonnelly 0-13 Erne Gaels 0-15. The score was well inside the two point arc but incorrectly given as a two point score and thus levelling up the game.

In the closing stages as both teams battled desperately for a winner, Derrygonnelly found themselves on the attack again. There were only two minutes of normal time remaining in the county final when towering midfeilder Stephen McGullion picked up possession in the left corner of the attack.

The former Fermanagh county player was closer to the two point arc than the previous Harps score but was still inside the range and lofted over another point.

Once again, much to Erne Gaels’ disgust, it was signalled as a two point effort and that left the scoreline reading 0-17 to 0-15 to Derrygonnelly.

That was how it finished in the end, and it left Derrygonnelly as Fermanagh Division One champions.

Stephen McGullion’s brother Shane, an established county player himself, was captain and lifted the trophy in the middle of the John Vesey stand for the Harps.

With the Fermanagh Championship just around the corner, it remains to be seen if Erne Gaels have the appetite for or the right to an appeal or a replay. They are managed by Donegal 1992 All-Ireland winning hero Declan Bonner.

Seamus Ryder was part of the Erne Gaels team today, as well as being a recent manager of the side, and he said in response to video of the phantom two-pointers: “Apparently lines hard to see. Camera 60 yards away had no issue.”

One social media fan said commented: “That’s wild. With clear video evidence a reply should be called.”

“Without a doubt it should be, it’s a absolute disgrace,” said another.