Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney believes responsibility for time-keeping should be taken away from referees following his side’s penalty shootout defeat to Monaghan in Croke Park on Saturday.
Speaking after the game, a crestfallen McGeeney felt referee Conor Lane added a generous amount of time on top of the three additional minutes already signalled at the end of extra-time.
Rian O’Neill looked to have sealed a remarkable win for the Orchard County with a stunning point from 50 metres out.
Read more: Recap as Armagh suffer penalty heartbreak again as Monaghan clinch dramatic quarter-final victory
However, the game was settled on penalties after Conor McManus won and then converted a free-kick.
Prior to that, there were stoppages to allow treatment to both Karl O’Connell and Andrew Murnin.
“It is time-keeping - the same last time,” said McGeeney.
“The person taking the free was told it was the last kick of the ball in the game against Galway – three more minutes.
“(Against Monaghan) the fella taking the last free was told it was the last kick then – another.
“People seem to want to decide the game themselves and it is very difficult to take. But the sooner they stop thinking they know everything and take it from the ladies’ football and get it out of people’s hands so they know the times, the better.
“But listen, it’s the same for every team at the minute. We’re not the only ones.”
McGeeney watched his side loss on penalties for the second time this season after their defeat to Derry in the Ulster final.
Armagh also exited the Championship at the quarter-final stage last year following a shootout loss to Derry.
On Saturday evening, Armagh and Monaghan were level 12 times in normal time and twice in extra-time and they couldn’t be separated after the first round of penalties.
Rory Beggan denied Callum Cumiskey while Ethan Rafferty saved from Gary Mohan.
Crucially, Mohan converted his second penalty, but Beggan made a second save from Cumiskey as Monaghan booked their place in the last four of the All-Ireland Championship.
“It is very tough - thats sport isn’t it? Cruel,” said McGeeney.
"Whatever it was, eight great penalties each and just unfortunate, one didn’t go in, it was hard on Callum (Cumiskey), but that’s just the nature of the beast with penalties.”
“You feel for them. They’re a great bunch. They work hard. It was the same in the Ulster final. A few slim things go against them, and they’re finding it hard to get a break.”
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