Changing the rules on subs in GAA “makes sense” following the Kilmacud Crokes v Glen debacle, journalist Conan Doherty has said. 

At a hearing last night, the GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee ordered a replay of the All-Ireland senior club football final between the two teams. 

Kilmacud Crokes beat Glen last Sunday 1-09 1-11 but the result has been shrouded in controversy after it turned out that a player on the Dublin team had briefly remained on the pitch despite having been subbed. 

Under rule 6.44, the penalty for having more than 15 players on the pitch is either a fine, a replay or the opposing team wins by default. 

“The funny thing is, I think if the GAA had stepped in early doors and been decisive this could have been quelled,” Mr Doherty told The Hard Shoulder. 

“Not that it necessarily should have been quelled but I genuinely think, at the start, there wasn’t a massive appetite for a replay - just in the immediate aftermath of it. 

“Regardless of the circumstance, I think people did largely accept that Kilmacud [won] - they were two points the better team. They deserved to be in that position with the last play. 

“Obviously, it’s not going to be a nice thing for Glen to be awarded the Championship by default but I don’t think any scenario is great. 

“Because we all know that if Glen go and win the replay, there’s always something hanging over that but that’s the scenario we’re in now because of a rule breach.”

DD748F Croke Park is the home Of GAA in Ireland, Night time shot of the stadium. Brian MacLochlainn / Alamy

In soccer, a player has to leave the pitch before a sub can come on and Mr Doherty said the GAA should adopt a similar rule. 

“It just makes so much more sense,” he said.  

“Now in fairness, I think most referees… they do have the cop on to stop the game because they notice a lot of the time when a player hasn’t gone off the pitch.” 

Kilmacud Crokes have three days to appeal the decision.

Main image: A GAA match. Picture by: Alamy.com