2010 Leinster Senior Football Championship final

March 2020 March 2020 2010 Leinster Football Final 2010 Leinster Senior Football Championship Louth 40px 1–10 Meath 40px 1–12 11 July 2010 Croke Park Dublin Eamonn McAuley (Louth) Martin Sludden (Tyrone) 48,875https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2010/0711/267793-louth_meath/ Louth 1-10 Meath 1-12 RTÉ Sport 11 July 2010 2009 2011 The 2010 Leinster Senior Football Championship final was the last football match of the 2010 Leinster Senior Football Championship, played between Louth and Meath on 11 July 2010 in Croke Park, Dublin.http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2010/0707/1224274220413.html GAA – weekly fixtures 7 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 7 July 2010 Louth were appearing in their first Leinster Senior Football Championship Final in 50 years. The game is memorable for its contentious conclusion, such that in 2020 it was described as "the most controversial Leinster final ever". Meath won by 1–12 to 1–10, thanks to a controversial late goal by Joe Sheridan. The goal was deemed illegal by television replays but was declared valid by referee Martin Sludden, from County Tyrone.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/8808677.stm Referee Martin Sludden struck after Leinster decider 11 July 2010 BBC Sport BBC 11 July 2010 He then blew the final whistle. Irate Louth fans stormed the pitch and commenced a process of chasing and physically assaulting the referee, who had to be led away by a Garda escort in scenes broadcast to a live television audience. Other scenes of violence saw bottles being hurled from a stand, one striking a steward who fell to the ground. The situation led to much media debate in the week that followed, the violence was condemned by senior politicians (some of whom were in the stadium), and there were calls for the game to be replayed—though, ultimately, this did not happen. Seán Moran of The Irish Times said the next day: "What will be most vividly remembered of the 2010 final was compressed into a minute at the very end of the match with Louth getting ready to celebrate a deserved win – first over their neighbours in 35 years – and a resilient display".Moran, Seán http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0712/1224274518802.html Controversy abounds as Meath claim title in hectic final minutes 12 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 12 July 2010 Colm Keys of the Irish Independent said it was "hard to disagree" that it was "the greatest injustice for many a year in Croke Park",Keys, Colm http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/sheridans-cruel-twist-denies-louth-2254831.html Sheridan's cruel twist denies Louth 12 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 12 July 2010 and remarked: "The 320th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne is being commemorated today, but that surely didn't throw up a talking point to match a Joe Sheridan goal that will have the counties divided by the same river at odds for years to come".Keys, Colm http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/fitzpatrick-slams-disgraceful-decision-2254830.html Fitzpatrick slams 'disgraceful decision' 12 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 12 July 2010 History of rivalry Louth and Meath were rivals of old, both winning the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in the 1950s; however, this was to be Louth's first appearance in the Leinster Senior Football Championship final since a 1960 loss to Offaly.Moran, Seán http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0710/1224274420582.html Meath will look to win midfield battle 10 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 10 July 2010 According to Colm O'Rourke, "there was a time in the late 1940s and '50s when Meath and Louth were the two best teams in the province [of Leinster] and played some memorable championship games".O'Rourke, Colm Colm O'Rourke http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/colm-orourke/colm-orourke-great-rivals-of-the-dim-and-distant-past-are-reunitedbut-louths-fairytale-day-wont-have-a-happy-ending-2254156.html Great rivals of the dim and distant past are reunitedbut Louth's fairytale day won't have a happy ending 11 July 2010 Sunday Independent Independent News & Media 11 July 2010 Keith Duggan of The Irish Times reported that the two teams "fight like alley cats".Duggan, Keith http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0710/1224274420598.html Border dispute with wee bit of history 10 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 10 July 2010 They had last met four years previously in a preliminary round of the Leinster Senior Football Championship, with Meath emerging victorious. Louth had last defeated Meath in 1975, also at Croke Park. Three matches were required to produce a winner when the two encountered each other in July 1949. Other meetings include a draw in a semi-final of the 1951 Leinster Senior Football Championship, with Meath narrowly winning the replay. Meath also defeated Louth in the 1952 Leinster Senior Football Championship Final. Following on from Louth's aforementioned 1975 victory, there were other Meath wins in 1998, 2002 and 2006. Route to the final Preliminary Round: Louth 1–11 Longford 1–7; Meath 1–20 Offaly 2–7 Quarter-finals: Louth 1–22 Kildare 1–16; Meath 2–14 Laois 0–10 Semi-finals: Louth 1–15 Westmeath 2–10; Meath 5–9 Dublin 0–13 Pre-match Team selection On 9 July, both teams announced their teams for the final.O'Riordan, Ian http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0709/1224274348043.html Kenny resumes his position in central role 9 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 9 July 2010 Both Meath and Louth will today release their starting line-ups for Sunday's Leinster football final in Croke Park – and while Louth are likely to be unchanged from their semi-final win over Westmeath, Meath are expected to start Nigel Crawford at midfield, the only likely switch from the team which ripped Dublin apart in their semi-final. Meath announced their team first, with captain Nigel Crawford, returning after injury, replacing Mark Ward in midfield.http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2010/0709/1224274378545.html Crawford to start against Louth 9 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 9 July 2010 Nigel Crawford comes into the Meath midfield for Sunday's Leinster final against Louth. Crawford, who has fully recovered from a back injury, will start alongside Brian Meade in the Meath engine room with Mark Ward making way. Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick will announce his team later today. Attendance It was anticipated beforehand that attendance would be at its lowest of the decade, estimated at 45,000 or 50,000 by Ian O'Riordan of The Irish Times.O'Riordan, Ian http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0709/1224274348000.html Lowest crowd in decade due for final 9 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 9 July 2010 48,875 people attended the game. The issue of applying fencing around Croke Park to prevent pitch invasions had been discussed prior to the game.Moran, Seán http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0706/1224274102516.html McKenna reiterates warning on fencing 6 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 6 July 2010 Last Sunday, saw Kilkenny retain their provincial title against Galway without problems but a county winning a sixth successive provincial title is unlike to spark the same reaction as next weekend when Meath, for the first time in nine years, or Louth, for the first time in 50, will raise the Leinster football trophy. The violent scenes which followed the 2010 Leinster Senior Football Championship Final renewed this debate in the days afterwards,O'Riordan, Ian http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0713/1224274590265.html GAA say fencing would be last resort 13 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 13 July 2010 though President Cooney later said "the last thing we want to do is put fencing up around Croke Park".http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0720/cooneyc.html Cooney confirms pitch presentations 20 July 2010 RTÉ 20 July 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100722063726/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0720/cooneyc.html 22 July 2010 http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2010/0720/1224275100231.html GAA plans for on-pitch presentations 20 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 20 July 2010 Match Summary Louth's JP Rooney and Shane Lennon both missed opportunities in the first half.http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2010/0711/1224274490689.html Rough justice for heartbroken Louth 11 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 11 July 2010 Louth dominated the second half, though spurned numerous opportunities to take a commanding lead over Meath. Rooney scored a goal with seven minutes of the game left. Meath converted two long-range free kicks from Cian Ward, but Louth still led by one point in the final minute. Louth's Colm Judge was sent off in the 69th minute for a second bookable offence. Then came the controversial goal by Joe Sheridan in the fourth minute of stoppage time. The ball was kicked into the square by Graham Reilly. It came out to Séamus Kenny, who could have gone for the point, but saw a goal chance and shot. But the ball was blocked by Louth captain Paddy Keenan, and fell into the square, towards Louth full-back Dessie Finnegan. But Finnegan failed to clear and the ball went straight to Joe Sheridan, who fell over the goal line and then threw the ball into the net – both illegal moves. Sheridan was also "inside the square" at the time the ball reached him, in a third illegal move. Yet the goal was allowed and all of a sudden Meath were winning by two points. Referee Sludden checked with the umpire and did not change his mind, blowing his whistle for full-time soon after with the score at Meath 1–12: Louth 1–10, much to the disappointment of everyone associated with Louth. TV replays immediately demonstrated that the referee was incorrect when he awarded the goal to Meath. Violence Footage of the end of the match and post-match pitch invasions Louth V Meath 11/07/2010: End of match scenes Louth fans poured onto the pitch to express their feelings to the referee, and, in the words of The Irish Times, "all hell broke loose". At least four fans physically attacked Sludden and struck him with violence. One man who was wearing a red shirt shoved Sludden in the chest before being pursued by television cameras as he made his departure.McGarry, Patsy Lally, Conor http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0712/1224274518490.html Referee shoved in chest after GAA final 12 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 12 July 2010 THERE WERE no arrests in Croke Park yesterday despite unruly scenes at the end of the Leinster football final between Louth and Meath in which referee Martin Sludden was pushed and jostled. [...] A man in a red shirt rushed onto the field and shoved the referee in the chest. He was followed by RTÉ cameras as he left the scene. Sludden was awarded a Garda escort as he made haste his escape from the pitch. Stadium director Peter McKenna said the referee was "very shaken" after his experience. Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick intervened to physically urge the fans to halt their behaviour,http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0711/crokerpark_meath_louth.html Referee is attacked in Croke Park 11 July 2010 RTÉ 11 July 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100712234014/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0711/crokerpark_meath_louth.html 12 July 2010 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". Meath substitute Mark Ward was hit by a Louth fan. Children cried and looked sad, and one child allegedly received a wound when hit by a steward. Bottles were hurled from the stands. A steward also received wounds when he was assaulted by a soft drinks bottle. He was given medical attention, and later declared fit to steward further matches. Elsewhere in the stadium, former Meath All-Ireland Senior Football Championship-winning manager Seán Boylan was involved in an altercation with an irate Louth fan in a corporate box.McHale, Michael http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/boylan-plays-down-incident-with-louth-fan-2254940.html Boylan plays down incident with Louth fan 12 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 12 July 2010 Boylan said: "People lose the head all the time" and that he was "more embarrassed than anything". Details 11 July 2010 14:00 UTC+1 20px|border Louth 1–10 – 1–12 (Report) border|20px Meath JP Rooney (1-1), B White (0-4, 3f), C Judge (0-2, 1f), P Keenan (0-1), A McDonnell (0-1), A Reid (0-1) G Reilly (0-4), C Ward (0-4, 4f), J Sheridan (1-0), S Bray (0-2), A Moyles (0-1), N Crawford (0-1) 48,875 Croke Park, Dublin Martin Sludden (Tyrone) _whiteshoulders _thinwhitesides _whiteshoulders ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 FFFFFF ff0000 Louth yellowshoulders _thinyellowsides _yellowshoulders 28AE7B 28AE7B 28AE7B FFFFFF 28AE7B Meath GK1 Neil Gallagher (Cooley Kickhams)RCB2 Eamonn McAuley (Na Piarsaigh)FB3 Dessie Finnegan (St Patrick's)LCB4 Ronan Greene (Naomh Malachi)RHB5 Ray Finnegan (St Patrick's)CHB6 Mick Fanning (Naomh Máirtín)LHB7 John O'Brien (Seán O'Mahony's)MF8 Paddy Keenan (St Patrick's) (c)MF9 Brian White (Cooley Kickhams)RHF10 Andy McDonnell (Newtown Blues)CHF11 Mark Brennan (Mattock Rangers)LHF12 Adrian Reid (Mattock Rangers)RCF13 Colm Judge (Newtown Blues)FF14 Shane Lennon (Kilkerley Emmets)LCF15 JP Rooney (Naomh Máirtín)Substitutes: 16 Stephen Fitzpatrick (Clan na Gael) for Greene 17 Aaron Hoey (St Bride's) for Fanning 18 Páraic Smith (Dreadnots) for Lennon 19 Declan Byrne (St Mochta's) for ReidManager: Peter Fitzpatrick GK1 Brendan Murphy (Trim)RCB2 Chris O'Connor (Ballinabrackey)FB3 Kevin Reilly (Navan O'Mahonys)LCB4 Eoghan Harrington (Wolfe Tones)RHB5 Gary O'Brien (Navan O'Mahonys)CHB6 Anthony Moyles (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh, Dublin)LHB7 Caoimhín King (Dunshaughlin)MF8 Brian Meade (Rathkenny)MF9 Nigel Crawford (Dunboyne) (c) RHF10 Séamus Kenny (Simonstown Gaels)CHF11 Joe Sheridan (Seneschalstown)LHF12 Graham Reilly (St Colmcille's)RCF13 Cian Ward (Wolfe Tones)FF14 Shane O'Rourke (Simonstown Gaels)LCF15 Stephen Bray (Navan O'Mahonys)Substitutes: 16 Cormac McGuinness (Navan O'Mahonys) for Moyles 17 Peadar Byrne (Ballinlough) for O'Rourke Manager:Éamonn O'Brien View of match participants Joe Sheridan Joe Sheridan, who scored the controversial goal, described how he had done it: "It was well-worked and it was a definite goal. People are saying I threw it in, but I was heading for the line and I just dropped the ball and it was in the net. I got it and the lad just pushed me into the net. I tried to do whatever I could to hit it and the goal was given, simple as that. I was pushed in over the line so it should have been a penalty anyway. I think it was a perfect goal". Match officials Referee Martin Sludden later admitted he had made an error. His referee's report acknowledged a "terrible mistake".http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0715/1224274738230.html Louth move on but sense of injustice persists 15 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 15 July 2010 In the light of this and the clear admission in the referee's report that he "made a terrible mistake", the referee's report therefore is questionable. [...] We would contend that the committee/ council in charge erred in leaving the matter to Meath County Board to offer a replay, without seeking clarification from the referee in relation to his match report and his statement "he made a terrible mistake". However, based on past refereeing errors, his place on the panel of 18 referees to officiate during the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship was secure, though the likelihood of him refereeing another match was less so.http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/10-key-questions-after-sundays-chaotic-scenes-at-croker-2255907.html https://archive.today/20130111155028/http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/10-key-questions-after-sundays-chaotic-scenes-at-croker-2255907.html dead 11 January 2013 10 Key questions after Sunday's chaotic scenes at Croker 13 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 13 July 2010 It was thought likely he had been deducted four points from one hundred for his error by his assessor (1 for missing a foul and 3 for Meath profiting from it with a score), though rules banning the assessor from looking at video evidence meant Sludden may not have been deducted any points if the assessor could not see the incident properly from the stand.Kelly, Liam Foley, Cliona http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/bullish-gilroy-unrepentant-after-depriving-daly-of-dual-star-ocarroll-2262636.html Bullish Gilroy unrepentant after depriving Daly of dual star O'Carroll 17 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 17 July 2010 Team managers Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick said he was "absolutely devastated" on RTÉ. Appearing later on radio station LMFM, he described the referee as "Dick Turpin without a mask", adding "It was pure daylight robbery. I'm very, very annoyed". When questioned at a press conference about Sheridan's goal, Meath manager Eamon O'Brien said: "I can't say and I'm not commenting. I can comment, as I said to RTÉ, that loads of decisions were made during the game that didn't go our way. I can recall three or four balls that were blown for picking off the ground that I didn’t think were off the ground. Nigel Crawford was booked up here and Louth got a point off it. The game goes for 70 minutes, decisions are made and you live with it. That’s it, that’s the way I see it". Other players Meath's captain Nigel Crawford gave his opinion on the incident: "I'm sure most players have been involved in controversial situations like that where you get calls for replays and things like that happening, but I just don't think it's possible or I just don't think it can happen. If you start that, where do you end up? Do we go back and say the ball wasn’t on the ground when we touched it and they got a free or whatever? It's just very unfortunate that it happens in a high-profile game right at the end of a game to a team that hasn't won in a long time. It's just a very unfortunate situation". Louth player J. P. Rooney said: "Aaron Hoey was pleading with [Sludden] to consult with his umpires but when he went in, he told them to put up the green flag. [...] I know it's wrong, people running at the ref, but you can see why Louth people did it. He brought it on himself and I wouldn't feel sorry for him". Reaction Media The Irish Independent said "Meath's Leinster Final goal-that-never-was will go down in history – and not only in Ireland, since by now the images have flashed round the world – among the great injustices suffered in any sport".http://www.independent.ie/opinion/editorial/gaa-must-play-fair-by-louth-2255101.html GAA must play fair by Louth 12 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 12 July 2010 The Irish Times described "ugly scenes", with Damian Cullen calling it "one of the strangest endings ever to a GAA match", Seán Moran describing it as "the most extraordinary refereeing error since Jimmy Cooney whistled up early 12 years ago",Moran, Seán http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0712/1224274518857.html Little sympathy in Meath camp 12 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 12 July 2010 and the newspaper publishing numerous letters on the topic from disgruntled members of the public every day that week.http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2010/0713/1224274589427.html Controversy over Leinster final 13 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 13 July 2010http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2010/0714/1224274657571.html Controversy over Leinster final 14 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 14 July 2010http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2010/0715/1224274739007.html Controversy over Leinster final 15 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 15 July 2010http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2010/0716/1224274821598.html Controversy over Leinster final 16 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 16 July 2010 The same newspaper's Philip Reid remarked upon the coincidence that these events had occurred on the same day as the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final in South Africa, wondered why goal-line technology could not be used and added: "On this point, it would appear, the GAA and FIFA have something in common: they live in the times of the dinosaur".Reid, Philip http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0712/1224274518576.html Dark clouds cast over Louth's big day in the sun 12 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 12 July 2010 The events in Croke Park led to less prominent newspaper coverage of the FIFA World Cup Final itself the next day. The incident surrounding the goal was likened to Thierry Henry's illegal handball in the France vs Republic of Ireland 2010 FIFA World Cup play-off.Cullen, Damian http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0712/1224274518850.html September Road 12 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 12 July 2010 AFTER Joe "Thierry Henry" Sheridan's controversial handling of the ball at the end of yesterday's Leinster final, we wracked our brains for some of the other controversial and bizarre endings to GAA matches.Watterson, Johnny http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0717/1224274900960.html Hold the back page 17 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 17 July 2010 The unravelling of the Leinster football final sparked off radical suggestions the match should be replayed and while not as globally embarrassing as the FAI whimpering over the Thierry Henry hand ball, it seemed equally absurd. While Meath diplomacy forbids them to ridicule the "Replayistas" in the manner Fifa boss Sepp Blatter did with the FAI, be sure Meath players bridled at the suggestion.Bray, Allison Keys, Colm Clarke, Denise amp http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/mayhem-and-madness-as-fans-attack-referee-2254900.html Mayhem and madness as fans attack referee 12 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 12 July 2010 Meath chairman Barney Allen refused to be drawn on a potential offer of a replay afterwards, drawing comparison with the Irish soccer team's plight last November after the Thierry Henry handball. "Ireland didn't get a replay when France got a lucky goal," said Mr Allen. Public service broadcaster RTÉ referred to "disgraceful scenes". The GAA website's official match report brushed aside the controversy, saying Sheridan had "smuggled the ball over the line". Eugene McGee, writing in the Irish Independent, said "It will be a stain on the good name of the GAA if this result is allowed to stand".McGee, Eugene http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/eugene-mcgee/eugene-mcgee-if-fair-play-exists-in-the-gaa-louth-should-get-their-replay-2254833.html If fair play exists in the gaa, Louth should get their replay 12 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 12 July 2010 His colleague Martin Breheny said there ought to be no replay and that "no sport can run its affairs on the basis of sentiment".Breheny, Martin http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/we-cant-replay-gaa-has-no-room-for-sentiment-2257325.html We can't replay – GAA has no room for sentiment 14 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 14 July 2010 GAA administrators The following day, the GAA released a statement confirming that Sludden admitted he had made an error.http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0712/meath_louth1.html Referee admits error in awarding Meath goal 12 July 2010 RTÉ 12 July 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100714155354/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0712/meath_louth1.html 14 July 2010 The GAA also stated that the rules left it powerless to offer a replay and that this would be decided by Meath,Moran, Seán http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0712/1224274518866.html Replay only possible if Royal offer is made 12 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 12 July 2010 though most Meath players did not wish to facilitate a replay,http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0713/meath_louth.html Royals reluctant to offer Louth replay 13 July 2010 RTÉ 13 July 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100714155404/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0713/meath_louth.html 14 July 2010 https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/8812395.stm Louth hopes of replay fade after Meath players say 'no' 13 July 2010 BBC Sport BBC 13 July 2010 while former Meath players were said to be in favour of one.Keys, Colm http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/meath-buy-time-2256002.html Meath buy time. . . but players and management likely to put an end to Louth's replay hopes 13 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 13 July 2010 The GAA said it would work with the authorities to capture Sludden's attackers. GAA President Christy Cooney said the events were a "watershed" and one where the "circumstances were bizarre. I have never seen circumstances like it as long as I have been a member of this Association".http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0716/cooney.html Cooney – Leinster final a watershed for GAA 16 July 2010 RTÉ 16 July 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100717195114/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0716/cooney.html 17 July 2010 He promised life bans for those who assaulted the referee.Foley, Cliona http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/we-will-impose-life-bans-cooney-2262817.html https://archive.today/20120802073852/http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/we-will-impose-life-bans-cooney-2262817.html dead 2 August 2012 We will impose life bans: Cooney 17 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 17 July 2010 Croke Park's stadium director Peter McKenna questioned why Louth manager Peter Fitzpatrick had walked onto the pitch to ask the referee about the decision. Gaelic Players Association (GPA) chief executive Dessie Farrell said: "What went on last Sunday was a PR disaster for us all".Keys, Colm http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/louth-facing-decision-on-use-of-navan-as-home-venue-2260931.html Louth facing decision on use of Navan as 'home' venue 16 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 16 July 2010 The National Referees Committee gave a negative response to the idea of goal-line technology being used in future.O'Riordan, Ian http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0713/1224274590243.html Referees in no rush for video technology 13 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 13 July 2010 Retired referee John Bannon said "No one deserves to be attacked, either verbally or physically, especially in Croke Park. [...] This attitude still remains part of the GAA's culture, it has never been rooted out".http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/who-said-what-2255909.html Who said what . . . 13 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 13 July 2010 Tyrone County Board (from where the referee originated) sympathised with the Sludden but said the crowd's reaction was "unbelievable".Cahill, Jackie http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/red-hand-chairman-standing-by-underfire-ref-sludden-2259098.html Red Hand chairman standing by under-fire ref Sludden 15 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 15 July 2010 Liam O'Neill, a candidate for the GAA presidency in 2012, later said: "Quite simply, there should have been a re-fixture for that game. Everyone knows that. Everyone knows a wrong was perpetrated".Cummiskey, Gavin http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0721/1224275144935.html O'Neill calls for change to five-year term on playing laws 21 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 21 July 2010 GAA personalities There was significant public and analytical support for Louth and condemnation of the refereeing decision.http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0712/meath_louth.html Massive support for Wee County 12 July 2010 RTÉ 12 July 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100714155349/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0712/meath_louth.html 14 July 2010 On The Sunday Game TV highlights programme, Pat Spillane called both the fans and the referee "disgraceful", commenting: Those were disgraceful scenes at the end. Cowardly individuals attacking a referee who is doing it in a voluntary capacity. There is no place in the GAA for people like that. Scandalous scenes and a bad day for the GAA on that account. A fella doing a job made a human error. He made a mistake. We cannot condone those scenes, they are disgraceful and punishments must be handed out. However, just as disgraceful is that Louth were robbed of their first Leinster title since 1957 by a complete refereeing mistake. Joe Sheridan threw the ball over the line. Under any rules of the game, experimental or not, the goal should not have been allowed. Former Meath player Trevor Giles said: "If this victory stands, it won't do Meath any favours because there will always be a question mark over the result". Former Kerry footballer Darragh Ó Sé described the idea of Meath County Board having the final decision on a replay as "a complete and utter cop-out".http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0714/1224274657319.html Controversies highlight that the GAA must start to show some direction 14 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 14 July 2010 Former Kerry footballer and manager Páidí Ó Sé said: "there is no way any referee should have allowed Sheridan's goal to stand".Ó Sé, Páidí Páidí Ó Sé http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/in-sport-you-have-to-take-the-rough-with-the-smooth-2263257.html In sport, you have to take the rough with the smooth 18 July 2010 Sunday Independent Independent News & Media 18 July 2010 Sligo footballer Eamonn O'Hara suggested that the events gave "the perfect opportunity [for the GAA] to revamp the way match-day officials are selected".O'Hara, Eamonn Eamonn O'Hara http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/leinster-final-chaos-presents-perfect-chance-to-revamp-umpire-selection-2263884.html Leinster final chaos presents perfect chance to revamp umpire selection 19 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 19 July 2010 Veteran commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh told Ryan Tubridy on his radio show that "Croke Park abdicated responsibility. They should have taken the matter from Meath".Keane, Billy http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/gaarsquos-abdication-of-responsibility-towards-royals-has-tarnished-their-leinster-crown-2262810.html GAA's abdication of responsibility towards Royals has tarnished their Leinster crown 17 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 17 July 2010 Politicians Minister for Justice and Law Reform Dermot Ahern, himself from Louth, made known his condemnation of the violence.https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30465189.html Justice Minister condemns altercations at GAA game 12 July 2010 Irish Examiner Thomas Crosbie Holdings 12 July 2010 He attended the match.Parsons, Michael Minihan, Mary http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0713/1224274589396.html Ahern deplores Croke Park scenes 13 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 13 July 2010 Taoiseach Brian Cowen also made known his disapproval later from New York: "I didn't see what happened as the ref was leaving the pitch. But obviously none of that is justified. It was an exciting match obviously. But it doesn't justify anyone engaging in that sort of activity. So I wouldn't like to see it repeated anywhere". Cowen was also at the match. Other The Garda Síochána announced that it would investigate those persons they said breached the Non-fatal Offences Against the Person Act by battering the referee and others.Cusack, Jim Lawlor, Damian http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/gardai-close-in-on-croker-prosecutions-2263264.html Gardaí close in on Croker prosecutions 18 July 2010 Sunday Independent Independent News & Media 18 July 2010 Bookmaker Boylesports paid all losing bets on the match.http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/bookies-handout-eases-louth-pain-2254846.html Bookies' handout eases Louth pain https://web.archive.org/web/20100715092625/http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/bookies-handout-eases-louth-pain-2254846.html 15 July 2010 12 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 12 July 2010 Outcome On 13 July, Louth's county executive committee issued a statement condemning what it described as "the unsavoury incidents after the match".http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0713/louth_meath.html Louth condemn Croke Park attack 13 July 2010 RTÉ 13 July 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100714155359/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0713/louth_meath.html 14 July 2010 Meath's county board gathered in Navan but did not issue an immediate statement, instead requesting more time to think.Keys, Colm McHale, Michael http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/meath-call-for-extra-time-over-louth-replay-bid-2255978.html https://archive.today/20130108004530/http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/meath-call-for-extra-time-over-louth-replay-bid-2255978.html dead 8 January 2013 Meath call for extra time over Louth replay bid 13 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 13 July 2010 http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2010/0712/1224274552634.html Meath county board asks for more time 12 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 12 July 2010O'Riordan, Ian http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0713/1224274590229.html Meath's deferral of final decision makes chance of replay less likely 13 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 13 July 2010 They later decided that there would be no replay, this would be "the end of the matter".http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2010/0713/1224274613334.html Meath decide against offering replay 13 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 13 July 2010 Meath were officially champions of Leinster for 2010,O'Riordan, Ian http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2010/0714/1224274680949.html Louth left to ponder options 14 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 14 July 2010 In the end they delivered on the greater expectation that the result must, under GAA rule, still stand, and that, as far as they were concerned, "was the end of the matter". It means Meath go forward as Leinster football champions, in name at least.O'Riordan, Ian http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0714/1224274660841.html Meath rule out replay to leave Louth pondering options 14 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 14 July 2010 though Meath secretary Cyril Creavin conceded that it was a "tainted" title and that "Some of the players are devastated with the reaction in newspapers".Keys, Colm http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/louths-legal-move-2257402.html Louth's legal move 14 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 14 July 2010https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/8820138.stm Louth hopes of replay end as Meath board says 'no' 14 July 2010 BBC Sport BBC 14 July 2010 Louth accepted this: their official statement referred to the July 2010 R238 traffic collision which occurred on the same day as the final, sympathising with relatives of the eight people killed, and opting to avoid legal action in such a context. Therefore, Meath automatically entered the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, with Louth left to qualify for that same stage by playing (and winning) a further game in Round 4http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/game-at-a-glance-2254832.html GAME AT A GLANCE 12 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 12 July 2010 of the All-Ireland qualifiers.http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2010/0714/1224274728235.html Louth to take no further action 14 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 14 July 2010 “Finally, in light of the tragic events which occurred in Donegal over the weekend we realise that we must put our situation in context and we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those deceased." Louth were drawn against Dublin in their next game.http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2010/0719/1224275061957.html Louth get Croke Park date with Dublin 19 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 19 July 2010http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2010/0719/1224275033301.html Louth draw qualifier date with Dublin 19 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 19 July 2010O'Riordan, Ian http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0719/1224275017767.html Roscommon shine once again as Sligo can't live up to expectations 19 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 19 July 2010 The big question about the Dublin-Louth pairing is how well Louth can recover from last Sunday's Leinster final fiasco against Meath, because unless they come out fighting again, Dublin have a great chance of making the All-Ireland quarter-final.http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0721/1224275145109.html Fitzpatrick delighted with 'dream' draw 21 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 21 July 2010Keys, Colm http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/louth-must-pick-up-pieces-as-resurgent-dublin-await-in-qualifiers-2263873.html Louth must pick up pieces as resurgent Dublin await in qualifiers 19 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 19 July 2010 The appointment of experienced referee Pat McEnaney was scrutinised and praised in advance.Keys, Colm http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/mcenaney-to-take-charge-of-louthdublin-croker-clash-2265916.html McEnaney to take charge of Louth-Dublin Croker clash 21 July 2010 Irish Independent Independent News & Media 21 July 2010 McEnaney's appointment will be viewed as a secure option after the dramatic and tension-filled scenes at the end of the Leinster football final at the same venue 10 days ago. In the game, held once again at Croke Park on 24 July,Cummiskey, Gavin http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0720/1224275073430.html It's double headers back to back 20 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 20 July 2010 The Dublin footballers, as expected and despite the low turnouts for their recent victories over Tipperary and Armagh, are back in Croke Park for a fifth time this season, and third successive week, as they attempt to salvage their campaign against Louth. That means the defeated Leinster finalists must return to the scene of the crime that saw referee Martin Sludden assaulted by supporters after the provincial decider against Meath on July 11th. Louth were defeated by 2–14 to 0–13, thus being eliminated from the 2010 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/gaa/2010/0724/1224275433712.html Dublin show no sympathy 24 July 2010 The Irish Times Irish Times Trust 24 July 2010 Moral champions of Leinster they maybe but Louth are out of the All-Ireland football championship after being comprehensively beaten by Dublin at Croke Park. Two weeks after being denied a provincial title by a very bad call against Meath, the Wee County can have few complaints this time round.Crowe, Dermot http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dubs-finally-warming-to-summer-task-2271850.html Dubs finally warming to summer task 25 July 2010 Sunday Independent Independent News & Media 25 July 2010 Two weeks after they were stunned in the Leinster final, Louth still looked punch-drunk as the Dubs raced into an early lead, boosted by a goal from Eoghan O'Gara. They never recovered and the game limped to an inevitable conclusion. After the final whistle they went on a lap of honour to offer appreciation to their followers after the longest summer the county has witnessed in over half a century. By defeating Louth, Dublin joined Meath in the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0724/dublin_louth.html Dublin 2–14 Louth 0–13 24 July 2010 RTÉ 24 July 2010 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20100724232452/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2010/0724/dublin_louth.html 24 July 2010 For Louth so ended "the longest summer the county has witnessed in over half a century". Legacy Louth manager Fitzpatrick found success as a national politician; he was elected as a TD at the 2011 general election and re-elected several times after that. He continued as Louth manager until after the 2012 season, at which point he left. On 15 September 2014, "A Wee Royal Rumble - The Story of the 2010 Leinster Football Final" was broadcast on RTÉ One as part of Scannal, the TV series dedicated to scandalous events.http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=224348 If it happened to Meath I'm sure the referee would have ended up in the canal Hogan Stand 15 September 2014 15 September 2014 Nearly ten years later, in a newspaper article published on Easter Sunday, Fitzpatrick - who had earlier watched the match for just the third time since (the first having been the night it was played) - stated that he had seen referee Sludden only once since: "I went to Michaela Harte's funeral [in mid-January 2011] and he was ahead of me in the queue. That's the only time. I have never seen or spoken to him since".Crowe, Dermot https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/we-will-never-forget-the-11th-of-july-2010-peter-fitzpatrick-brian-white-and-joe-sheridan-reflect-on-a-day-that-shook-the-gaa-39103138.html 'We will never forget the 11th of July 2010' - Peter Fitzpatrick, Brian White and Joe Sheridan reflect on a day that shook the GAA 5 April 2020 Sunday Independent 5 April 2020 A fortnight after the most controversial Leinster final ever, Kildare overpowered them [Meath]. Until 2025, neither team (nor, in fact, any team other than Dublin) won the Leinster Senior Football Championship, with each team having been to two finals (Meath in 2019 and 2020, Louth in 2023 and 2024). However, Louth finally bridged a 68-year gap beating Meath in the 2025 final, and in a tongue-in-cheek recognition of the events of their previous final encounter, Louth defender Dermot Campbell threw the championship trophy, the Delaney Cup, into the goal.Whelan, Vincent https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/we-will-never-forget-the-11th-of-july-2010-peter-fitzpatrick-brian-white-and-joe-sheridan-reflect-on-a-day-that-shook-the-gaa-39103138.html WEE BIT OF FUN: Louth ace hilariously recreates infamous Joe Sheridan goal while celebrating Leinster triumph over Meath 12 May 2025 The Irish Sun 20 August 2025 Further reading Hogan, Vincent. "Sport can't force social values – it reflects them". Irish Independent. Tuesday, 13 July 2010. Keys, Colm. "The fact is that scenes like this are part and parcel of GAA culture". Irish Independent. Tuesday, 13 July 2010. Boyle, Donnchadh. "Leo Turley: Laois '95". Irish Independent. Wednesday, 14 July 2010. Keys, Colm. "The great hypocrisy". Irish Independent. Wednesday, 14 July 2010. Devlin, Martina. "Stubborn GAA has failed its referees and the sport". Irish Independent. Thursday, 15 July 2010. Breheny, Martin. "Net gains". Irish Independent. Thursday, 15 July 2010. Lynch, Declan. "Unsporting conduct on and off the pitch". Sunday Independent. Sunday, 18 July 2010. O'Kelly, Emer. "Behaviour that brings shame upon our 'culture'". Sunday Independent. Sunday, 18 July 2010. O'Rourke, Colm. "Residue of bile and bitterness could easily have beenavoided if our administrators did their jobs properly". Sunday Independent. Sunday, 18 July 2010. Conlon, Tommy. "Louth victims of another fine mess from the most amateur of amateur organisations". Sunday Independent. Sunday, 18 July 2010. O'Rourke, Colm. "Gilroy's charges finding their stride as race heats up". Sunday Independent. Sunday, 25 July 2010. Hayes Liam Kildare and Meath have a real chance to show credentials in white heat of battle Sunday Tribune 1 August 2010 McKenna Ewan Lilies to flower in battle Royal Sunday Tribune 1 August 2010 Diary of a... Meath forward Sunday Tribune 1 August 2010 Shannon Kieran Broken Treaty – Are Limerick the unluckiest team of today? Sunday Tribune 1 August 2010 References External links Official GAA match report As It Happened – Sunday's GAA Matches – RTÉ's live text of the match GAME AT A GLANCE – Match statistics in the Irish Independent Croke Park chaos – Timeline of controversy in the Irish Independent Leinster Senior Football Championship Final Category:Brawls in team sports Category:Gaelic football controversies Category:Leinster Senior Football Championship finals Category:Louth county football team matches Category:Meath county football team matches Category:GAA finals at Croke Park Category:July 2010 sports events in Ireland Category:2010s in Dublin (city)