Oran Kearney says it’s “inexcusable” that a contentious goal helped kill off Coleraine’s Irish Cup hopes and a potential route into Europe.
The winners of the blue riband competition qualify for next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League and pocket at least £200,000 in the process.
But Coleraine are now effectively relying on the playoffs to secure European qualification after losing 2-1 to Cliftonville in Friday night’s quarter-final at Solitude.
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Afterwards, Kearney aired his frustration that the Reds' equalising goal appeared to enter the net via the arm of Joe Gormley at the back post.
“How the linesman and referee can’t see that is beyond me,” he said. “Let’s be honest, that has the makings of a quarter of a million or half a million pound decision.
“That’s the way I look at it, that’s the cold harsh reality of where we’re at and I’m the person that has to deal with it. On nights like this, it is inexcusable.
“I don’t care what you say. Depending on who you draw (in Europe) it’s potentially a half a million pound decision that he’s made. Simple as that.”
Coleraine led through Lyndon Kane’s rifled opener in the 25th minute before substitute Gormley levelled things up with his first touch in the 56th minute.
Jamie McDonagh fizzed a cross to the back post and Gormley forced the ball home, although BBC replays suggested the ball struck his arm.
“To be honest I think Joe is worried he’s going to collide with the post and he is possibly trying to put the breaks on,” said Kearney.
“The biggest thing for me is how far his arm is outstretched when the ball hits him. His arm is away from his body and that’s the part for me that’s unmissable.
“I can also tell by our players’ reaction. Sadly again, in big moments in big games in big seasons, we are talking about the wrong people (officials).”
McDonagh won it for Cliftonville with a stunning strike nine minutes later and Paddy McLaughlin’s men held out after surviving a late penalty scare.
Coleraine striker Matthew Shevlin went down after a couple of challenges from Christopher Gallagher inside the area, but referee Lee Tavinder booked the visiting player for simulation.
“It was a penalty twice over, but the referee believes he has got that decision right,” claimed Kearney.
“You get a big read by people’s reaction and it’s just really hard to take.
“I thought we were exceptional and I couldn’t speak in the changing room after the game because I can’t criticise or be hard on our levels.
“Lyndon scored a really good goal and I thought we were outstanding. How we have come out of that game with nothing over 90 minutes, I don’t know.”
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