IT is terribly unfortunate that it has to be this way. The decision-making process for Watty Graham's in these last few days was not an easy one and reluctantly they had to decide whether to pull up the drawbridge and accept the All-Ireland Club final result or lodge an appeal.
As a manager of my own club, I have asked myself, what would I do in the same situation?
It is likely that any club in the country will leave it to the manager to decide. In turn, the manager will probably consult the players, particularly the senior players.
It is further complicated by the fact that Malachy O’Rourke is not a native of the club. However, knowing O’Rourke, he is a man of great integrity and he had accepted the result reluctantly in the immediate aftermath. But then again that was not a good time to make any decision of this magnitude.
It was a game that could have easily gone the way of the Derry club regardless of ‘subgate’.
Had they taken their goal chances in the second half (which Kilcoo ruthlessly did last year), it would not have mattered had Kilmacud Croke’s put 20 players on the goal-line.
Given Kilmacud had been beaten in the dying minutes in last year’s final, I assumed that they would have been more emphatic in winning this year’s. Instead they fell over the line.
I expected a more convincing victory – a sort of message of intent – a performance to put last year’s result to bed.
The game I watched did not convince me of this – indeed without Shane Walsh, the newest and most high-profile transfer into the Dublin club - Kilmacud Croke’s would not have beaten Glen.
Glen are entitled to lodge an appeal and go again – rules are rules and as Joe Brolly rightly stated, the integrity of the game has to be protected.
In this particular instance, uniquely, given that Shane Walsh had transferred into Kilmacud Croke’s in September (and I am sure that Walsh didn’t reside in the parish of the best team in Dublin randomly), this does further complicate the decision-making process consciously or unconsciously.
This is only human.
If the rules were followed to facilitate his transfer, then what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Of course, it would be better had the GAA shown leadership and called a replay. But, then again, they have often abdicated responsibility over the years and stuck stringently to ‘the rules’.
This should be no surprise.
The players are in a no-win situation and they need to be considered here.
The Glen panel need to be 100 per cent in agreement that they want this replay; if one man decides this is not right, this will affect the group dynamic.
They all need to be on the same page.
In many ways, you have to feel sorry for the Kilmacud players too.
There was certainly no intent here – the respective substituted players were caught in the moment, in that limited time on the field.
Their victory celebrations from Monday, until when an appeal was lodged, would have had a cloud hanging over them.
Moreover, the entire episode will no doubt follow the Croke’s lads around, like a bad smell and I can already imagine the sledging from all opposition during next year’s championship campaign.
Again, the players will have taken a few days off and enjoyed a beer or two.
Emotions will be all over the place and some players (on both teams) will be relieved that the championship is over and they can relax and recuperate.
This might change depending on the outcome of any appeal.
It will be hugely difficult to get ready for another final, to get into the correct mindset for a final, which is likely to be set for the first weekend in February.
If I were Croke’s, I actually think they have more to gain, should the final be replayed.
They could play better – I would argue much better.
I think Glen will have to be much more ruthless in their approach – particularly in front of goal.
In a number of attacks, they overplayed the ball instead of taking their point.
When the goal chances were on, they failed to take these and one more pass to take the goalkeeper out of the equation separates the good from the great players.
Was it the experience of never being in an All-Ireland final before? Possibly. Remember Kilcoo had the experience of losing a final to Corofin before last year's victory.
Kilmacud had the experience of losing a final and do not underestimate this effect.
Knowing how not to lose a final, is as important as knowing how to win one.
Going back to the question I have been thinking about since Sunday last – had it been my club – would I appeal?
I am taking the fifth amendment on this one.
The transfer into Kilmacud Croke’s of one of the best players in Ireland followed these same so-called rules and this worked in favour of Kilmacud.
There are no guarantees that Watty Graham’s will ever be back (young squad or not) to the final (I think they will be by the way).
In the cold light of day, I do not believe that the Croke’s will be happy to win a final in this manner. In other words, they should have enough belief and confidence in themselves to win any day, anywhere.
With this in mind, you lodge the appeal and take your chance again.
Forget about honourable and heroic defeats – leave these for wars.
THE Allianz Football Leagues start with a bang this weekend and after Derry’s Dr McKenna Cup triumph, there will be a few nerves around Tyrone, especially on the back of last year’s meek defence of their All-Ireland title.
Taking on Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park will not be easy, but the Rossies will play the game on the front foot, which may well suit Tyrone’s counter-attacking style.
The tie of the first weekend in the top flight is Monaghan versus Armagh.
Farney boss Vinny Corey will be looking to get his tenure off to a good start with a result and it would not surprise me should this end in a draw.
Armagh will be looking to develop further this year and last season’s exploits will have banked them some credit, although Kieran McGeeney will know that half-eaten bread is soon forgotten.
Down face Tipperary in Division Three and I am confident they can get a result on the back of some very positive performances thus far under Conor Laverty.
Cavan have a tough task away to Westmeath, who are assured of being in the main Championship on the back of last year’s inaugural Tailteann Cup win.
The Breffini county need to start the year well if they are to break into the top 10, which they have the potential to do.
I also fancy Antrim to win against Offaly at Corrigan Park.
Meanwhile, Fermanagh have a good and able side with some real quality players.
A win against Longford would be the perfect start to the year and given they are at home, I think they will win.
In the second tier, Derry beating Limerick would appear to be a formality, especially at Owenbeg, although Rory Gallagher will be wary of complacency and should stamp it out.
He is the hottest managerial ticket around at the minute – worst of all, he knows it too.