Replay “not possible” – Crawford

Meath captain Nigel Crawford believes it is impossible to order a replay Sunday’s highly contentious Leinster football final against Louth.

Louth’s 53-year wait for a provincial title appeared to have come to an end as the Wee County held a one-point lead deep in stoppage time at Croke Park.

However, a scramble in the square resulted in Joe Sheridan bundling the ball over the line and referee Martin Sludden allowed the goal, despite clear evidence that the score was illegal.

Sludden was attacked by several Louth supporters after the game while Sunday Game analysts Tony Davis, Pat Spillane and Kevin McStay and JOE’s Gaelic football columnist Ciaran Whelan led the calls for a replay.

However, Crawford can’t see it happening. “I’m sure most players have been involved in controversial circumstances like that where there have been calls for a replay, but I just don’t think it’s possible,” he said.

“If you start that, where do you end up? Can we go back and say the ball wasn’t on the ground when we touched it and they got a free?

“Back in ’95 that happened to Tyrone [in the All-Ireland final] and the ball was clearly off the ground and they should have equalised and got a replay there. It is just very unfortunate that it should happen in such a high-profile game and to a team that hasn’t won in a long time.”