Peter Canavan explains why referee made correct decision in controversial Ciaran Thompson call

Brendan Cawley was heavily scrutinised

The Donegal star was left raging after he was accused of a technical foul in the 64th minute while trailing to Galway however according to the rules, Cawley was right to penalise Thompson.

According to the rule-book, it's a foul 'To touch the ball on the ground with the hand(s), except as provided in Rule 1.2,' with the exceptions listed below.

"Exceptions: (i) The goalkeeper may play the ball on the ground with his hand(s) inside his own small rectangle.

"(ii) Any player who falls or is knocked to the ground while in possession of the ball may fist or palm the ball away on the ground, and may score by so doing.

(iii) "The ball may not be lifted off the ground with the knees."

Despite their best efforts Cawley waved away their protests and Robert Finnerty cleared the bar to put Galway ahead before Liam Silke doubled the Tribesmen's lead five minutes later as Pádraic Joyce's side set up an All-Ireland SFC final against Armagh in a fortnight's time.

'The ref was dead right here'

Of course Cawley's call proved to be one of the biggest talking points post-match and on The Sunday Game, Canavan explained why, after speaking to other referees, the decision to award Galway a free was the right one.

"I've spoken to a few refs since and they say the ref was dead right here," he said.

"The Donegal players were so angry saying that he didn't touch it on the ground and the rule is if the ball touches the ground, it's a free."

Canavan went on to add: "It was the correct call and the exact same thing happened Paul Murphy (Kerry) on Saturday at a crucial game where he had the ball, he slipped, and the ball touched the ground.

"Even though it was still in possession, and David Gough was quick to give a scoreable free in to Armagh.

"It was the same there. As frustrating as it was.

"The rule also, if you have possession of the ball, you're tackled and the ball goes to the ground, if you're still in possession, you can play it on the ground, yet when you're in possession, you can't touch it like that there so it's frustrating but Brendan Cawley got it right."