More than a 'Wee' bit disappointing

I wonder was Martin Sludden at GAA headquarters last Sunday afternoon? Four teams took to the field, just over 31,500 paid in but where was the Tyrone official? The man in black (with green trim) who allowed Joe Sheridan's goal in the provincial final two years ago. 

Louth, one of the teams that took to the field yesterday, were two points up four minutes into injury time and about to celebrate their first win over their neighbours in 35 years. It was their first appearance in the decider in 50 years, they hadn't tasted Leinster glory in 53 years. Then, "the greatest injustice for many a year in Croke Park" came to pass according to the Irish Independent's Colm Keys.

Not surprisingly, Louth (who finished fourth in Division Two of the Allianz Football League) have never recovered (they may never recover) and on the Lord's day they were mauled by the team most people were in Croke Park to see, the All-Ireland champions, the "machine" that is Dublin.

The younger Brogan doing what he does best!

The Wee County registered a dozen points over the course of the game, three of them came in the first-half, with the remainder coming when nobody really cared anymore. Only four came from open play, and it's hard to see how Peter Fitzpatrick will rouse the troops again as they face into the minefield that is the qualifiers.

So where was the man who was at the centre of the biggest farce in recent GAA history? It was widely expected that Sludden would be dropped from the inter-county referees list in light of that error but in fact he was kept on last year and was the man in the middle when Down and Laois and Leitrim and Antrim crossed swords in the qualifiers.

However, the Central Referees Committee reduced the size of its championship panel from 18 to 16 earlier in the year and Sludden missed out, just like Louth did.

So here's the question. Had Louth lifted the Delaney Cup two years ago would things be different now? My guess is that a win, especially against the Royals, would have given football in the county (maybe even the country) a lift, albeit temporarily. That being said, even the most ardent Louth supporter would agree that the Wee County don't have the strength in depth the likes of Dublin have so the wait for another Leinster title might have been a long one. Given Sunday's display there is no reason to suggest otherwise.

Anyone who is a follower of the Premier League (or the Premiership) as it is frequently referred to by those who should know better on Sky Sports, when you are struggling for points, are in danger of being relegated, the big decision always go against you. The decision didn't go Louth's way, their big chance came and went and all hell subsequently broke loose.

It's only a game, right? 

Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick intervened to physically urge irate fans to refrain from physically attacking Sludden, an act later described by the Irish Independent as "a remarkable display of composure from the Dundalk man, who had every right to be spitting feathers at the defeat".

The same man stood and watched his players chase their Dublin counterparts around Croke Park on Sunday. Fitzpatrick "had every right to be spitting feathers at the defeat" but I would hazard a guess that he refrained from doing so.

After all, it was only a game, right? And Sludden was only human? And it's taking part that counts. Really? You can't see me but I'm shaking my head.