Joe Canning shares thoughts on controversial Limerick goal against Clare as fans claim ‘clear square ball’

LIMERICK CAME from behind to produce a stunning second-half comeback against Clare this afternoon.

However, there was controversy over the Treaty’s third goal with fans claiming a ‘clear square ball’.

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The goal was Limerick’s third in five minutes as they turned the game on its head with Clare dominating early on.

It was difficult to see if Aaron Gillane had entered the square before the ball was struck but it was definitely tight.

Speaking on RTE after the game, Joe Canning revealed has no doubts about the first two goals but the third is very close.

He said: “In real time, we thought it was a square ball (for the third goal). Looking back, it’s very minute.

“Looking at the first one, I think Diarmaid Byrnes mishit it to be honest. I’d question when you see it coming in here, what is Conor Cleary doing? He goes to catch the ball, as a fullback you should be clearing the man, the hurl, everything. Just leave it off to your goalie.

“It looked like he went to catch it. First and foremost that should be into the goalie and let it off…

“I’d question (the second goal). An inter-county goalie should be saving that, that’s calling a spade a spade. He bounced it, it’s always tricky when they bounce.

“[The third goal] is the one in real time we thought was Aaron Gillane in the square or not? Hegarty does extremely well here, takes on his man and hits a good shot back off the post.

“I just thought that Gillane was so close to the post when it hit him that he surely had to be (in the square). It’s very small margins.”

Fans were very divided on the goal with some claiming it was clear as day while others say it’s too close to call.

One fan wrote: “That’s not a marginal call it’s a bad call. It’s a square ball end of story.”

Another commented: “Is the square ball not a thing anymore?”

A third added: “Amazing how many referees and umpires don’t understand what a square ball is. Shocking.”