Ciaran Whelan: “Kildare can feel entitled to be more than rueful”

Ciaran Whelan reckons that the most significant moment of the All-Ireland semi-final between Down and Kildare was Benny Coulter’s controversial goal.

Whelan believes that Coulter’s goal, which should’ve been ruled out for a square ball, was a major turning point in the match.

“It’s a pity that probably the most significant moment of the game was a wrong call by the match officials, but Benny Coulter’s goal was a huge turning point, even after just 12 minutes,” Whelan wrote in his exclusive column with JOE.ie.

“Kildare had started well and should have been further in front but how referee Pat McEnaney or his umpires didn’t spot the square ball I don’t know. It was one of those things – as soon as it happened, long before you needed to see a replay, you just knew it was a square ball.

“The goal stood, and it was a moment that really turned the game on its head. The most telling period of the game was the final 25 minutes of the first half, when Down outscored Kildare by 1-9 to 0-4, and Coulter’s controversial goal played a vital part in that.”

Despite the controversy, however, he still believed that James McCartan’s men were well worth their victory.

“On the whole, though, Down were the better side and fully deserved to win the game,” he wrote.

Down defeated Kildare 1-16 to 1-14 and will go on to meet Cork in the All-Ireland final on 19 September in Croke Park.

To read Ciaran Whelan’s column click here.