McGrath: Kilkenny undone by 'unfair' decision

Galway's match-winning free against Kilkenny should never have been awarded according to Derek McGrath, describing the call an "unfair decision".

The Tribesmen edged out the Cats in their Leinster championship clash at Salthill in a game that ebbed and flowed in the closing stages.

In the third minute of injury-time Kilkenny sub John Donnelly fired to the back of the net to level the game, and from the resulting puck-out, Tommy Phelan thought he had gathered possession from a breaking ball with the opportunity to snatch victory.

Referee Colm Lyons however had blown his whistle as he judged Paddy Deegan’s aerial challenge against Tom Monaghan was a foul, with Conor Cooney nervelessly slotting over to ensure a home win.

Deegan appeared to make contact with Monaghan's helmet in his attempt to field the ball but, speaking on the Sunday Game, analysts Derek McGrath and Shane Dowling both felt it was an incorrect call by the match official.

"You are told for years, attack the ball," former Waterford manager McGrath said. "You are told sometimes, 'man, ball and all'.

"For me that was a really, really unfair decision on Kilkenny.

"The other thing is, Tommy Phelan was in possession of the ball with a free shot at goal."

Neither Shane Dowling nor Derek McGrath believed Galway's winning free should have been awarded #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/dgJEb0p0nD

Dowling was in agreement and felt Brian Cody’s reaction post-match was telling.

"He (Paddy Deegan) had his eyes on the ball. Derek hit the nail on the head, man, ball and all. He went straight in. It was mad because it could have gone either way.

"Brian Cody rarely blames referees, but he went straight in after the Henry (handshake) incident and let Colm Lyons know about it."