Dilemma of calling the right shot

Waterford substitute Eoin McGrath found himself on the cusp of Waterford folklore during injury time of Sunday's All-Ireland quarter-final.

Cork were a point up. While the cogs in most people's brains were still processing the scenario, McGrath hared towards goal. Point for a replay.  Goal for glory.

What would you do? McGrath went for broke. Donal Óg Cusack proved equal to the shot. Cusack was then penalised for lying on the ball.

Eoin Kelly's subsequent free enraged the Cork goalkeeper and his Cloyne team-mate, Diarmuid O'Sullivan.

Tipperary's John Leahy also went for it in the final minute of the 1997 All-Ireland final but was denied by a great save from Davy Fitzgerald.

Clare lifted Liam Mac-Carthy for the second time in three years. A notable difference was Tipperary trailed by two points. Nicky English was faced with a similar decision in the 1987 Munster final in Killarney against Cork. He clipped it over the crossbar to level matters and Tipp eventually prevailed.

Nicky English(Former Tipperary player and manager)

"There was more chance I was going to be hooked as Jim Cashman was nearby. Also, I remember thinking a point would be to our advantage as we were coming all the time at that stage so extra-time suited us.

"In yesterday's case, Eoin was never going to be hooked but he possibly should have put it over the bar. Having said that, it was a great save by Donal Óg.

"It would have been a certain goal if he had carried it a few more paces.

"(John) Leahy had to go for goal in the '97 final and he didn't hit it as well as McGrath. The goalkeepers deserve a lot of credit in both cases.

"Regardless, of the rulebook, the referee made the correct decision on a moral basis."

Gavin Cummiskey

Waterford substitute Eoin McGrath found himself on the cusp of Waterford folklore during injury time of Sunday's All-Ireland quarter-final.

Cork were a point up. While the cogs in most people's brains were still processing the scenario, McGrath hared towards goal. Point for a replay. Goal for glory.

What would you do? McGrath went for broke. Donal Óg Cusack proved equal to the shot. Cusack was then penalised for lying on the ball. Eoin Kelly's subsequent free enraged the Cork goalkeeper and his Cloyne team-mate, Diarmuid O'Sullivan.

Tipperary's John Leahy also went for it in the final minute of the 1997 All-Ireland final but was denied by a great save from Davy Fitzgerald. Clare lifted Liam MacCarthy for the second time in three years. A notable difference was Tipperary trailed by two points. Nicky English was faced with a similar decision in the 1987 Munster final in Killarney against Cork. He clipped it over the crossbar to level matters and Tipp eventually prevailed.

John Allen

(Former Cork player and manager)

"When Eoin McGrath picked up the pace and pulled away from the nearest Cork defender he was about 14 metres out. He saw the chance to make history, to be the hero.

"Most players would have taken the point. The modern-day hurlers are so professional now they tend to take the point in that situation as opposed to handing over the impetus to the other team. This makes it a brave, or foolhardy, decision but it worked out in the end and the referee was eventually left with a decision.

"If you lie on the ball purposely it is a free but about nine times out of 10 the referee awards a free out if a goalkeeper is impeded in any way. When that scenario occurs out the field it is a throw-in. The same referee (Brian Gavin) gave Waterford a dubious free that would have drawn last year's semi-final only Donal Óg brought Ken McGrath's effort down before it sailed over the bar."

John McIntyre

(Offaly manager)

"It was a brave decision by Eoin McGrath. A great save by Donal Óg too. It is a further reflection of the improved overall ambition now evident in this Waterford team. They will not just play the percentages; they are willing to go for broke. They hung in there when time was ticking down and they trailed by four points. Cork seemed to have struck at the perfect time.

"This new maturity and confidence levels augur well for Waterford going into the replay. The psychological advantage is firmly with them.

"If you are from Waterford it was the right decision to award a free. If you are from Cork it was wrong. From a neutral perspective, it was the hard call to make. I applaud the referee for that as a lot of other people would have just thrown the ball in on the 21-yard line. He didn't."

Richie Bennis

(Limerick manager)

"In hindsight Eoin McGrath's decision worked out but from my position I would have probably taken the easy point. It was not the most sensible of decisions to make but Waterford had regained the momentum after looking dead and buried. They went for the win.

"It looked like Donal Óg definitely lay down on the ball so that is a free but there is no consistency in that rule. It changes with every game. It's too vague."