REFEREES CHIEF RULES OUT ANY REPEAT OF SAGA

NATIONAL referees chief Donal Smyth says they've reviewed the Kilkenny/Tipperary scoreboard controversy and taken steps to avoid a repeat.

- By PAUL KEANE

A Noel McGrath wide for Tipp was chalked down as a point by the scoreboard operator and RTE TV in the closing minutes of last Sunday week's All-Ireland SHC semifinal.

Tipp eventually won by two points though Kilkenny thought they were three behind at the death and chased an equalising goal.

The GAA acknowledged that 'there was confusion over the final score' and said they would 'establish how the initial mistake occurred' following receipt of referee James Owens' report.

Speaking at the launch of RefWell, the GAA's new online performance psychology and mental health training programme, national match officials manager Smyth said a number of factors led to the error.

"It was a mixture of stuff," said Smyth, who was on the sideline on the day and stressed that referee Owens had the correct score at all times.