GAA fans fume at goal that ‘completely changed the game' during Wexford loss to Dublin but ‘didn't cross the line'

The Irish Sun

27-04-2025

GAA FANS couldn't believe their eyes as Dublin were awarded a goal against Wexford - despite the sliotar appearing to have not crossed the line.
The
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Dublin scored a controversial penalty against Wexford
Credit: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
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Goalkeeper Mark Fanning got a touch on Sean Curries effort
Credit: GAA+
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He appeared to stop the sliotar before it crossed the line only for the goal to be given
Credit: GAA+
A pivotal moment came on 50 minutes when Dublin were awarded a penalty with the two sides level at 1-20 to 2-17.
Sean Currie stepped up to take, with his strike drawing a fine save from Wexford goalkeeper Mark Fanning, with the sliotar squeaking towards the line.
An overhead replay of the penalty appeared to show Fanning clawing the ball back before it crossed the line, only for the goal to be given.
It drew a disbelieving response from fans, with one saying: "Massive momentum shift in the game.
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A second fumed: "You have to feel for the @OfficialWexGAA keeper — brilliant save right on the line, only for the ref to give the goal.
"Did everything right and still punished. Tough one to take. #dubwex #gaa"
A third said: "The linesman starts to run for the flag and stops. Clearly he's not sure so why has he given it?"
A fourth posted: "2 umpires and the ref all watching the line and the THREE OF THEM GAVE THE GOAL 😂😂😂"
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A fifth said: "This changed the game.
"Huge save from Fanning would have given Wexford a boost. Instead Dublin get the boost and in turn bury 3 goals in 5 minutes"
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And a sixth said: "Completely and utterly changed the game. Wexford at sixes and sevens ever since"
It was a game-changer because John Hetherton followed up soon after with 52nd and 54th minute goals to kill the contest.
But Wexford manager Keith Rossiter said it was the wrong call for the Currie goal and argued that TV replays proved it.
Asked about the ref's performance, Rossiter said: "I wouldn't be happy with it, to be dead honest with you. The biggest factor being the penalty not being over the line. That's massive.
"And I thought Kevin Foley at a crucial stage of the game went back and won a ball and there was no way he could have thrown the ball, he hand-passed it off, yet he was done for a throw ball.
"We made some poor decisions at times that we need to work on. But refereeing as a whole, wasn't happy with it.
"When two umpires are able to tell Mark Fanning afterwards that the ball didn't cross the line, I don't know what the umpires are there for if that's the case, if you're not going to use them.
"That's what I'm being told from Mark. I look at the video - the ball didn't cross the line. And I could see it from where I was, I didn't think it crossed the line."