THE CLOCKS GO forward early Sunday morning and, for most of us, that means the horror of an hour less in bed.
However, it has got us thinking here in TheScore.ie about time, specifically when poor timekeeping has proven the decisive factor in the outcome of a sporting event.
5. Should the Kings have been crowned?
YouTube Credit: CBJKings2011
Back in February 2012, as the race for the NHL playoffs were hotting up, Drew Doughty scored with less than a second to go to as the LA Kings beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2.
However, when the Blue Jackets looked at video after the game, they discovered the clock froze for roughly a second just prior to Doughty’s goal — meaning time should have expired before the puck crossed the line.
Despite admitting the goal should not have been allowed, the NHL refused to overturn the result and it played a significant part in the Kings securing the last spot in the playoffs before eventually going on to lift the Stanley Cup.
4. Wales are the victim of an Italian job
YouTube Credit: EpicOB
Thanks to a Mauro Bergamasco try in the 77th minute, Italy looked on course for two wins in a Six Nations championship for the first time ever in March 2007.
However, with 10 seconds left in the game, Wales were awarded a kickable penalty in Italian territory that would have tied the game. Instead of taking the kick, James Hook consulted with referee Chris White before kicking to touch in to hope of using their lineout to steal a win.
Once the ball found touch though, White blew the full time whistle and as Italy celebrated their historic achievement, the referee was surrounded by a group of bemused and angry Welsh players.
3. And the band come marching in
YouTube Credit: ucberkeleycampuslife
One of the most famous plays in American football, the Stanford band were so eager to get on the field at the end of their university’s match up with their bitter rivals from the University of California they didn’t notice the game hadn’t yet finished.
Stanford took a 20-19 lead with four seconds remaining and most expected California to try run out of bounds before attempting a ‘hail mary’ pass to win the game.
Instead, the Golden Bears, with some helpful blocking from the over eager Stanford band, returned the kick for a touchdown and the victory.
2. Some Offaly poor time-keeping from Jimmy Cooney
YouTube Credit: dapos
With two minutes remaining and Clare leading by three points, Offaly knew they probably needed a goal if they were to get anything from their 1998 All-Ireland semi-final replay.
However, much to everyone’s amazement, referee Jimmy Cooney blew the full time whistle early, prompting Offaly fans to stage a sit down protest in the hope of having the last few minutes played. Instead, the GAA’s Games Administration Committee ordered a rematch which Offaly won.
In fairness to Jimmy Conney – who suffered death threats at the time – he held his hands up afterwards and admitted his mistake, adding that there were actually five minutes remaining when he blew up.
1. An Olympic sized mess
YouTube Credit: happydog500
With less than 10 seconds remaining, the Soviet team were beating the US by 49-48 and, with the basketball in their possession, looked set to win this particular battle of an increasingly tense cold war.
Then, somehow, Kevin Joyce’s hand found a way to deflect a Soviet pass and the ball squirmed loose before Doug Collins gathered it and drove to the basket before being fouled by a Soviet player.
With three seconds left, he nailed both free throws to give the US the lead and, seemingly, the win. With a second to go, the USSR took their final timeout before Dr William Jones, the British secretary of governing body FIBA, intervened to reset the game clock to three seconds. The game restarted, a Soviet pass went awry and the US believed they had won.
However, as the clock was in the process of being reset when play resumed, the floor had to be cleared again and the three seconds reinstated. The US were furious, lost their concentration and conceded a lay up, and the gold medal, to Alexander Belov and the Soviets.
More than 40 years after the controversial game, the US’s silver medals remain uncollected and currently sit in a secure vault in a Swiss bank.
