The GAA has confirmed that the Meath-Louth Leinster football final cannot be replayed, despite referee Martin Sludden having admitted that he made a mistake in allowing Meath’s winning goal in injury time.
The Tyrone official found himself at the centre of a storm following the hugely dramatic events at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.
Sludden was repeatedly jostled and shunted as he attempted to leave the field following the final whistle in the Leinster final, which Meath won by two points (1-12 to 1-10) after Joe Sheridan’s hotly-contested goal when, in trying to kick the ball into the net while lying on the goal-line, he effectively threw the ball over the line.
A statement from the GAA on Monday read, “The GAA confirms that the Referee’s Report has been received and the referee has stated that he made a mistake in awarding the Meath goal. However, under GAA Rules, a re-fixture cannot be ordered as the Referee’s report of the full time score is final.â€
The GAA also condemned the actions of a small number of Louth supporters after the conclusion of the game, revealed that the Gardai had been provided with television footage of the “unacceptable incidents†and pledged a review of security procedures in light of the events.
