Fans condemn ugly scenes as Davy Fitzgerald and Waterford rage over late decision that sees Clare edge victory

CLARE CLAIMED a narrow victory over Waterford this afternoon but the thrilling clash ended on a controversial note.

Mark Rodgers won the match for the hosts with a last-minute 65 but Waterford players were adamant that it should never have been awarded.

After the full-time whistle was blown, there were ugly scenes as Waterford boss Davy Fitzgerald made his feelings very clear to the officials.

This prompted more pushing and shoving between the opposition management panels along with plenty of shouting at each other.

Fans were divided over the call and shared their own thoughts about the incident on social media.

One fan wrote: “Waterford blackguarded. How can the umpire give a 65. He can’t rely on Liam Gordon when he was even further away.”

Another commented: “Shocking the umpire has his hands in motion for a wide and awards a 65 disgraceful decision”

Someone replied to the above remark: “Watch it again. It comes off the side of de Burcas hurley. Correct decision. And well spotted by umpire.”

Some fans believed that the umpire changed his mind before giving the 65 but were mainly united in distaste towards Fitzgerald’s actions after the match.

One tweeted: “Davy Fitzgerald’s reactions are exactly why referees are not coming into the game. Who wants to put up with his kind of crap.

“Time to stomp it out. GAA need to act.”

Another added: “Unacceptable behaviour! This type of carry on will cause the end of the game…cos refs won’t want to ref and I certainly wouldn’t have kids looking at these fellas as role models!!

“They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. Brings the game into disrepute IMO.”

A third said: “Davy has to get a nice ban for this. That’s disgraceful carry on.”

Fitzgerald used to be in charge of the side he raged against this afternoon and Banner forward Shane O’Donnell was handed a debut by the boss.

This week O’Donnell reflected: “He was very good actually.

“He used to assign younger players to senior players, kind of like a system where you’d have a person looking out for you basically. Davy was good at that as well.

“He was cognisant that a number of us were very young and had just come in.

“There was also an element of if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.”

Clare have now leapfrogged Waterford in the Munster SHC group with a round to go.