Jim Magilton left baffled by Irish Cup final penalty shootout decision

Yahoo

12-05-2025

Jim Magilton labelled the decision to take the penalties at the end of Saturday's Irish Cup final in front of the Dungannon Swifts support due to "safety advice" as "startling".
The Swifts made history by coming out on top in the shootout against Cliftonville after the two sides had played out an entertaining 1-1 over 120 minutes at Windsor Park.
With the Reds and Dungannon fans at opposite ends of the ground whoever won the traditional toss was set to have an advantage by picking the goal in front of their own support.
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But when quizzed if losing the toss had an impact on Cliftonville's defeat captain Rory Hale revealed there was no coin flip and that he was told by referee Ian McNabb the decision had already been made.
"There was no toss (to decide the end) for the penalty shoot-out," said Hale. "It was the IFA's orders to have the shoot-out at the Dungannon end."
The Irish FA confirmed this in a statement after the game saying the decision had been made "in accordance with Law 10.3 of the IFAB Laws of the Game, which states: "Unless there are other considerations (e.g. ground conditions, safety etc.), the referee tosses a coin to decide the goal at which the kicks will be taken, which may only be changed for safety reasons or if the goal or playing surface becomes unusable.'
An Irish FA spokesperson said: 'The decision to hold the penalty shootout at the East Stand end was made with player safety and welfare as the top priority, following concerns over the large number of missiles and projectiles thrown onto the pitch from the West Stand end.'
A bemused Magilton questioned the decision afterwards saying: "I find it startling that a penalty shoot-out can be decided on safety measures, what was the security risk? Our supporters getting exuberant and delighted?
"It's a good job we're here in finals because we do bring the noise...I think it's pretty poor if they thought that because of the numbers we bring.'
The Reds boss was quick to point out that the decision was not the reasons for his side losing the final.
"Did it ultimately cost us the game? No...that would be taking credit away from Dungannon and we don't want to do that,' he said. "Declan Dunne has made a couple of great saves so we can't disagree with that.
"Would we have liked to be shooting into our end? Yeah, but if you take the penalty shoot-out out of it, we had to do more and we didn't.
"I know it's a lottery but they were pretty composed with their penalties and you have to give them credit."
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