PADRAIC Joyce believes the decision to award Kerry a 67th minute free kick was crucial in today's thrilling All-Ireland SFC final.
Galway boss Joyce can't understand why referee Sean Hurson handed the Kingdom a free rather than his own side a free out when the scores were level at a vital stage of the Croke Park clash.
Kerry sub Killian Spillane did appear to hold John Daly who was in possession, but the official from Tyrone decided the free was against Daly, and David Clifford converted the free.
READ MORE: David and Paudie Clifford's crowning glory is well-earned according to their U12s coach
Galway failed to score again as Jack O'Connor's side went on to triumph.
"To me, the most important and crucial part of the game is how they got a free when the game was 16 points apiece. I couldn’t get over it," said Joyce, after his side's 0-20 to 0-16 defeat.
"From where I was standing, it looked to be like Damien Comer was pushed in the back and it should have been a free out - and then he gave a free against John Daly for apparently holding his hand.
"John Daly had the ball in his hand, trying to get out.
"The reason his hand was up high was to stop the Kerry fella’s hand from going around his neck, which is what happened. I can’t get over it."
Joyce insisted it was a crucial moment in the game.
"Well, those frees are like tap-overs for the likes of Clifford," he said. "It was a two-point swing for us, we had the momentum at that stage.
"I said to the players, to a man, I am really proud of them from where we have come from, where we were to where we are now as a group.
"The dressing-room in there is really hurting and I know everyone in the room, nobody gave us a chance in the match.
"But look it, we knew we had a great chance and bitterly disappointed that we had come so close.
"I thought we played very, very well," said Joyce. "We played football to try and win the game, went in at half-time ahead, 8-7 I think.
"Credit has to go to our defence, Liam Silke was outstanding at centre-back, kept Sean O’Shea very, very quiet. Jack Glynn was immense on Paudie Clifford.
"We had a foothold in the game. I know we lost a few kick-outs and stuff, but we fought our way into the game. Shane was outstanding up front, kicked some great scores. In at half-time, 8-7, came out after the break I think Kerry came at us, went a couple of points up. We came back."
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