Controversial Ending To Meath Win Over Galway Showed Big Issue With New GAA Rule

Meath have booked their first All-Ireland semi-final berth since 2009, overcoming Galway on a scoreline of 2-16 to 2-15 at Croke Park this afternoon.

The first 50 minutes or so of the game were a rather pedestrian affair, with neither side offering up all that much in attack. However, the game would burst into life in the closing stages.

The two sides would trade four goals in the final 20 minutes or so, with this effort proving to be the decisive one.

Meath would go on to hold out for the victory with a one-point margin.

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While Meath were fully deserving of their victory, the rather flat ending to the game has left some to question the implementation of the current Gaelic football rules.

The introduction of the hooter has been a welcome one this season, but the way in which Meath used it to their advantage on this occasion is something that the authorities might look at.

With the Leinster side holding a one-point lead, they only needed to hold onto the ball until time expired in order to win the game. Their mission to do so was helped by the awarding of a foul with 24 seconds still to go.

Time would then be allowed to tick on, despite the referee briefly stopping the clock at one stage.

Meath were then simply allowed to kick the ball out of play to win the game, with Galway not allowed to take the resulting kick-out.

The current rule states that the ball must be back in play before we reach the 70 minute mark in order to restart the game. While Meath kicked the ball out of play with three seconds or so left in the game, there was not enough time for Galway to take the kickout.

Considering the dramatic nature of the closing stages of the game, this was a rather underwhelming way for the match end. It is fair to say that many had questions about the way the contest was allowed to finish.

This is something that the GAA might well look at moving forward.

Despite this, there can be no arguing that Meath deserved their victory over Galway on this occasion. They will now prepare for a first All-Ireland semi-final appearances in 16 years over the coming weeks.