Facts are very clear, rule has been broken.. Big question is who is taking responsibility?

AS unholy messes go, this is about as bad as it gets for the GAA and for Glen.

A rule was clearly broken with 16 Kilmacud men involved in the play as they defended a 45 in the dying seconds of last Sunday’s Allireland final at Croke Park, holding a two point lead.

Rule 6.44 states that the punishment “on a proven objection” for such an offence is awarding of the game to the opposing team, a replay or a fine, “depending on the circumstances.”

This caveat gives the GAA some wriggle room.

The rule could hardly be clearer, but the punishment couldn’t be more vague.

What makes this 10 times worse for all involved – as with the Joe Sheridan incident in the Meath/louth 2010 Leinster final – is that the trophy has already been presented. Kilmacud Crokes are continuing to celebrate.

In 2010, the GAA left it up to Meath, who decided not to offer Louth a replay.

If the GAA categorise this as a refereeing error, they may be reluctant to go back and re-referee an incident in the game.

Making it even more emotive is the manner in which Kilmacud lost last year’s All-ireland final – to a last-gasp Kilcoo goal with the final kick of extra-time.

But all the emotional stuff, and the fact it’s a final, shouldn’t really come into it. The rules are the rules. A mistake was made by the match officials in not ensuring Dara Mullin was off the field before the 45 was kicked. Whatever Mullin’s intentions were, and what he did or didn’t know, are irrelevant.

Incidentally, it was Mullin who cut out the last ditch Kerins O’rahillys attack in the All-ireland semi-final and cleared the ball to safety.

The Glen 45 was taken by

Danny Tallon almost straight after Conor

Casey was introduced for Mullin.

Casey runs in and Mullin, who is standing on the goaline, barely has time to get off the field, but he doesn’t show any inclination to go. Maybe he was unaware his number was up.

The referee, Derek O’mahoney appeared to blow his whistle and signal that Tallon could go ahead with the 45, even though Mullin was still on.

If the referee had ordered a re-take, this unseemly mess could have been avoided.

Glen boss Malachy O’rourke says they asked for one, but it didn’t happen.

This would suggest the referee was content with what unfolded.

O’mahoney then appears to usher Mullin off the field after the 45 where Kilmacud had 16 men defending, so there is little doubt he is aware of it.

Will he mention it in his report and highlight the possible error? If so, the GAA may have little choice but to act, although the indications are that they have thrown it back into Glen’s court.

The Tipperary official will have seen the subsequent pictures, and if a mistake was made he may well put that in his report.

Plenty have said Glen should take their beating. They are in a tricky position. Make an appeal and they will be seen as sore losers.

And what will unfold if they do? Could it leave a cloud hanging over a club at the peak of their powers?

Might they regret it if they don’t pursue it further?

Last year’s two All-ireland club finals were decided by dramatic last gasp goals wiping out two point leads.

No doubt the GAA would like this to go away and Kilmacud certainly would.

The GAA’S Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) had the power to act but now it appears it will be up to Glen to appeal.

Everyone wants to win on the field of play and not in the boardroom.

The pictures show what happened and it creates a serious headache for the GAA, who generally regard the referee’s report as sacrosanct.

Replays have been offered by clubs in quite a few six subs sagas over the years, but none of them were All-ireland finals, and it’s highly unlikely Kilmacud Crokes will step in here.

It should come down to whether the incident is viewed as a refereeing error or a breach of rule, but not if the CCCC or Glen don’t step in first.