John Mullane believes referee Diarmuid Kirwan was the reason Waterford were defeated by Clare in the Allianz National League final, describing his performance as a “disgrace”.
The reigning champions appeared to edging towards victory in a gripping replay at Semple Stadium, but two late scores from Tony Kelly rescued victory from the jaws of defeat for the Banner.
In the dying moments, Waterford midfielder Jamie Barron appeared to be dragged back on his run, but the Cork official waved play on.
The 2013 Hurler of the Year drew the sides level with a hotly contested free that he slotted over from his own half, before deep into injury time he nudged Clare ahead with the decisive score of the game.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Sunday Sport, Mullane couldn’t conceal his anger at Kirwan’s decision not to award Barron a free.
“He’s after having an absolute nightmare,” he told listeners.
“I’m so infuriated. I hoped Diarmuid Kirwan doesn’t referee a game again for the rest of the year because it’s been the difference between us climbing the steps and Clare going up the steps.
“I’m absolutely boiling with the decision. It’s disgraceful.
“The Waterford players and supporters deserved an awful lot more than that today.
“I’m not being sour grapes. Good luck to Clare. I’ve family from Clare, but I’m boiling with that decision.”
Fellow RTÉ hurling analysts and former Clare All-Ireland-winning captain Anthony Daly admitted that it was a decision that should have gone Waterford’s way.
“Clare are 38 years waiting to win a league title, it’s fantastic,” he admitted.
“It looked as though Jamie Barron was pulled back. If I was a neutral, I’d have said a free for Waterford.
“It looked like Tony Kelly was fouled subsequently. He gave that free, I think Diarmuid might have been playing for a bit of drama.”
Clare manager Davy Fitzgerald highlighted the resolve of his side to mount a fight-back when the game seemed to be slipping from their grasp and singled out the match-winner for special praise.
“At the very end, when the game is in the melting pot, there’s only one man you’d like to actually get the ball,” he said.
“When Tony Kelly gets it, you know you have a fair chance of it going over the bar."
