AN OFFALY HARD ONE TO ACCEPT

Faithful boss Kelly says penalty refusal crucial

- 

JOHNNY Kelly says his Offaly side were wrongly refused a penalty as their comeback fell short of denying Waterford the Division 1B Hurling League title.

Trailing by 15 points with 15 minutes let, the Faithful didn't lose heart as Oisín Kelly's second goal was followed by Brian Duignan's penalty appeal.

His hurley seemed to be pinned under Iarlaith Daly's arm, preventing a shot until he was bottled up.

"Even the officials thought it was a penalty," said Kelly. "That could have been the changing of the game.

"Michael Kennedy had a really good game, I just think that one decision was the one that we would look back on and have a bit of regret over.

"If that was Championship, you'd be pulling your hair out. But we're promoted so it is what it is.

"I do know that the officials were in contact to say that it was a penalty, so what do you do? We were told it was a penalty within seconds. And then afterwards again.

"It was communicated to the referee at the time.

"It probably would have been unfair on Waterford, though. Overall, they were deserved winners."