Controversy with Shane Walsh goal as Galway defeat Down at Pairc Esler
Two points separated the sides in their preliminary quarter-final meeting at Pairc Esler, but Down manager Conor Laverty and fans online were not happy as during the goal Down player Patrick McCarthy was down with a blood injury.
'I was just asking for clarification on why the play wasn't stopped,' Laverty said speaking to the BBC after the game.
'It was a serious injury, the lad had to come off as a blood sub, it was just a loose arm but, the blood was pouring out of the fella.
"You watch the games last night and see the amount of times the games were stopped because of the head injuries. I think the game should have been stopped to see if he was ok, Galway still had the ball then we just played on.
"I think Paddy McCarthy's man was involved for the goal in the move.'
Asked if the referee explained why the play wasn't stopped, Laverty said: 'No he didn't, there was no explanation.'
Galway boss Pádraic Joyce admitted that his side may have gotten away with one when he was asked about the incident regarding McCarthy.
'Well he came off with a blood injury, I think he may have got a trailing arm,' Joyce said.
"I do (think it should have been stopped). If it was me, I'd be aggrieved as well, we got a break for a change, so, we'll take it.'
Fans online were also not impressed with the call, with that goal being the difference between the two sides at the final whistle.
One fan commented on X: 'When is the consistency of the rules going to be sorted. E.g Kerrys match, a close fist tackle on Cliffords body got a yellow card. Galway had a closed fist tackle to a down mans head just a free. Then a head injury and the ref plays on, galway scores a goal. So much for safety.'
Another said: 'Hard to believe all that separated Down and Galway was a goal that shouldn't have stood in the first... Unlucky down. There's a team there! Should win that Div 3 next year!'
Down's season comes to an end while Galway will be hoping to go one step further than last year when they were defeated by Armagh in the All-Ireland final.
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