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Paddy Tierney

‘This is crazy’ - Sean Cavanagh hits out at GAA as Glen and Kilmacud await hearing outcome

Former Tyrone star Sean Cavanagh has criticised the GAA for their handling of the ongoing saga following the controversial All-Ireland Club SFC final between Kilmacud and Glen.

The Dublin side claimed a two-point win over Malachy O’Rourke’s side, but their victory has been overshadowed by a stand-off after it emerged they had two extra players on the field for the last passage of play.

Paul Mannion was inactive as he was making his way off the pitch, yet Dara Mullin was on the goal line as Kilmacud defended a late ‘45 from Danny Tallon.

Read more: Roscommon v Tyrone and Donegal v Kerry score recap and result from the Division One matches

The Maghera men failed to find the net with their last attack as Conleth McGuckian’s shot flashed narrowly wide.

Glen have since lodged an objection against the result after the GAA stated they wouldn’t take any action without an appeal.

Over the weekend, Kilmacud confirmed they have submitted a counter-objection and reports suggest the Stillorgan outfit have no interest in replaying the game.

However, the CCCC will meet with both clubs tonight and make a decision - although both clubs will then have a further three days to appeal the verdict.

Speaking on RTÉ’s League Sunday programme, Cavanagh feels there will be no winners regardless of what the CCCC ruling is.

"This is crazy - it's a rules breach,” stated Cavanagh.

“It's down to the GAA to fix this. How they have sat back and put this back on essentially amateur clubs to try and fix this? Now, we are eight days on and guys have gone back with their county.

Kilmacud celebrate with the Andy Merrigan Cup following their two-point win over Glen in the All-Ireland Club SFC final at Croke Park. However, the Derry side have appealed the result as Croke's had two extra players on the pitch for the last passage of play (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

"It was a great final and it has almost taken the taste of it.

"How many times do we sit here and talk about appeals, teams being named before games, melees, refereeing decisions, Hawkeye last year?"

"There are so many things wrong with these rules and laws.

“The reality is it should never have happened. In any sport, you look at basketball, soccer, there's a specific way in which you take players on and take players off. It is a rules breach. GAA officials have to fix this - the GAA must fix this.”

Cavanagh also expressed his concern for his former team after Tyrone let a three-point lead slip at Dr Hyde Park on Sunday as Roscommon defeated the Red Hands 3 -11 to 1-12.

The loss comes a week after the 2021 All-Ireland champions suffered a 12-point thumping at the hands of Derry in the Dr McKenna Cup final.

“After seeing them in the McKenna Cup I was worried and, after seeing them today (against Roscommon), I’m very, very worried because they haven’t a lot of players to come back,” added Cavanagh.

“They’d a seriously bad year last year and there’s going to be a lot of questions asked if the form doesn’t pick up soon.”

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