Joyce: Choice of penalties by the GAA is 'disgraceful'

While his side did prepare for the prospect of a penalty shootout in their All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Armagh, Galway manager Pádraic Joyce hit out at the 'disgraceful' decision by the GAA in having spot kicks to decide a championship match.

All games, bar the All-Ireland final, have penalties has the last resort if things are still level after extra time, in this now condensed season.

It was the Tribes who held their nerve the best when seeing off their Ulster rivals 4-1, in what was an absorbing last-eight clash at Croke Park, a contest where some unsavoury scenes were witnessed as both teams became embroiled in a brawl before they headed into the dressing rooms after 70 minutes.

Two late goals from Armagh at the end of regulation time brought about the two extra periods of ten minutes but in truth the Connacht champions should have sealed the deal when six points up approaching the 70.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the game, Joyce had some sympathy for Armagh in the manner they exited the 2022 championship.

"It's a horrible way to lose it and that's not the fault of the Armagh players, it's the fault of the GAA and the condensed," he said.

"My heart goes out to Armagh. Kieran McGeeney and the boys have put in a savage effort; they have been the form team and their supporters brought fantastic colour down here today. The roar when Rian O'Neill levelled the game in normal time was deafening.

Spillane condemns 'disgraceful' Armagh-Galway brawl

"It beggars belief as to why we couldn't have had a replay next weekend. That might sound simple for me to say because we won the game, but that was my over-riding feeling at full-time.

"It such a hard way to lose a game after putting in such an effort over the last couple; Kieran