Kilkenny GAA chairman PJ Kenny has described the scoreboard blunder which overshadowed the Cats' All-Ireland SHC semi-final defeat to Tipperary as 'deeply frustrating' and is hoping such a mistake will never happen again.

The closing stages were shrouded in confusion after the scoreboard operator incorrectly added a point to Tipperary’s tally, leaving Kilkenny under the impression they had to chase a four-point deficit instead of three. And while Kilkenny subsquently received a written apology from Croke Park, the error has left a sour taste in the county.

“There was extreme frustration from the players, management and county board, and all the fans, as well, who paid to go to the match," Kenny told KCLR.

“There was deep frustration, we were in talks with Croke Park from the very start of that evening. We knew it was never going to a replay; there’s no rule that allows for that, and we were told that fairly straightaway.

“We talked to them, but we didn’t want it broadcast all over the front pages. We did talk to Croke Park regularly on the Sunday and Monday and we looked for an explanation.

“We were also conscious as well that Tipperary and Cork were in the All-Ireland final and there was no point in taking away from their day. There was nothing to be gained from it that way, but we were in talks, Croke Park took full responsibility, they wrote a letter which we actually read out at the county board meeting the Monday after.

“They took full responsibility and issued an apology, particularly they felt for the players and management. They are the people who put in the most effort, so it wasn’t an easy time. There’s nothing we could do. They said they are putting procedures in place.

“All I can say is Tipperary won the All-Ireland and they were well worthy. Congratulations to them. It was disappointing for us, but there’s nothing much we can do now.”

 

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