Kilkenny got the win so this incident will soon be forgotten, but it should be the catalyst for change.
Brian Cody’s side were worthy winners over Waterford in their Allianz Hurling League encounter, winning out 1-20 to 1-12 after an impressive display.
The Cats accumulated points at a steady rate, all afternoon, and were buoyed by a fantastic finish from TJ Reid that put them six clear in the second half.
TJ Reid with a cracker! Goal for Kilkenny! pic.twitter.com/QDe1NvUz7r
— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 18, 2018
With five minutes to play, though, and Waterford pressing way up the pitch in an effort to cut the deficit, Kilkenny had a great chance to wrap the game up.
Martin Keoghan chased a through ball in hope rather than expectation and it paid off as Déise goalkeeper Ian O’Regan could only clear the sliothar straight into his raised hurl.
Martin Keoghan reacted to the block first and was left with the simple task of striking home into the unguarded Waterford goal.
O’Regan was not giving up, however, and he unceremoniously dragged the Kilkenny forward to the ground before arguing, correctly, that it was not a penalty.
It was also not a red card, according to one of hurling’s most out-dated rules.
At present, a last man foul does not constitute a sending off, no matter how blatant it is.
It meant O’Regan was able to re-take his place in goal for the Kilkenny free. He even shared a few friendly words with the ref.
It was lapped over the bar and Kilkenny went nine points clear. The game simply moved on.
It was the same on Saturday night when Tipperary’s Barry Heffernan cleaned Lee Chin out when he had the goal at his mercy.
Referees hands are tied by the rule as it stands but this sort of obvious foul play needs a serious looking at.
