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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Oisin Doherty

Joe Brolly says All-Ireland club final replay 'inevitable' but not everyone agrees

Joe Brolly has claimed the GAA's decision to sanction a replay for the All-Ireland club final was 'inevitable' following the CCCC's ruling that the game must be replayed.

The decision to order a replay was widely expected given the undisputed video footage which showed that Crokes had an extra player on the pitch in the dying stages of their two-point win over Derry side Glen, a clear violation of rule 6.44.

Amid a series of appeals and counter-objections, the CCCC sided with the Ulster champions.

READ MORE: All-Ireland senior club football final ordered to be replayed by GAA's CCCC

Taking to Twitter shortly after the verdict, Brolly, who for the past week has been demanding a replay, said: "A replay was inevitable. It was a decision to protect the future. The GAA had no choice. Management teams now know they must get their substitutions correct.

"No chances can be taken. The rule will in future be rigorously followed. End of."

Much of the discourse in the last few days has focused on the substitution rules in the GAA. As the game doesn't stop for subs, the onus is on the team making the sub to ensure that the substitution takes place correctly.

As last week shows, this method is questionable at best and many feel it is now time for the game to be stopped when a sub is being made.

Additionally, some feel that the soccer system, whereby one player has to leave the field of play before another can come on, is the only logical answer.

"The Elephant in the Room though is that the current substitution process in the GAA is not fit for purpose, wrote John Cregan on Twitter. "Half Way Line - No one on until someone goes off - Yellow card if a player enters the field early. No more slips of paper."

"It going to require a strong referee, tensions will be high, me thinks," said Eamon O'Faolain.

Colm Parkinson of the Smaller Fish GAA podcast is not happy with the decision at all. In fact, he feels as though Brolly's comments on Off The Ball is one of the main reasons for the decision to replay the final.

He said: "It was driven by the obvious anti Kilmacud Crokes agenda alright (called cheats on off the ball) and also by Brolly pushing for a replay (on off the ball) for fellow Derry club Glen. Total mess."

Kevin Cassidy however has a slightly different view of things, with the Donegal legend pondering what Kilmacud Crokes will do next.

He tweeted: "Anyone coming from Dublin to Derry have space for a medium sized trophy? As I’d imagine Kilmacud will just hand the cup back."

A Dublin GAA fan named Barry disagrees with the decision to order a replay:

He stated: "I personally think a replay of the All-Ireland is an overly harsh punishment for what was essentially an officiating error. Obviously Kilmacud don’t want a replay and I wonder do Glen?"

But the matter may not end with the ordering of a replay as Kilmacud have three days to appeal the decision.

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