On the face of it, objective analysis of a refereeing performance is probably highly difficult to arrive at. Neither of the competing teams could be expected to engage open mindedly. Neither are the whistler’s own kinfolk likely to overly critical.
Furthermore, it’s difficult to escape the inclination RTE commentators and pundits are contractually forbidden from criticising match officials.
Yet, in recent weeks, there have been (at least) two flashing beacons of major topics needing addressing which – you wait and see – people in positions of influence will find it worryingly easy to ignore.
Let’s take them in reverse order. Firstly, talk of the Provincial Championships in football being dead in the water has to be recalibrated. Broad brushstrokes need not apply. Simply because recent evidence has amply proven that Leinster has been cut adrift in terms of its paucity.
To Hell or to Connacht? Not tonight Josephine. The most recent battle for guardianship of the Nestor Cup was in a photo finish to be the best game of the year so far. Only Derry’s derailing of the Dubs in the Div. 1 Final is a short head ahead. And that was only because it went to penalties.
The most obvious starting point has to be Damien Comer. His mere presence on the field makes Galway a different animal. With himself, Rob Finnerty and Johnny Heaney combining superbly, Padraic Joyce’s side whittled away a two point half time deficit and created a three point buffer for themselves.
However, years, decades and quite a chunk of a century have taught us nothing if not of Mayo’s obstinate obduracy. So it transpired that Galway’s cushion was scattered like an avery invaded by a feline.
Ryan O’Donoghue, Mattie Ruane, Tommie Conroy and Colm Reape played their part in hauling Kevin McStay’s men back from the brink and actually enabled them to go three clear of the home side.
Perhaps inevitably, it was at that point David Gough’s refereeing of the contest came under scrutiny to the greatest extent. Now, to my mind, going down the home straight, he gave a few particularly harsh frees against Galway.
Quickly taken frees to both Comer and Shane Walsh being hauled back. However, it is equally beyond dispute that some of the dead ball opportunities afforded to the maroon and white were on the generous side too. Most notably when Conor Loftus (I think) got pinged for overholding despite the fact two opponents had him in a straight jacket.
There was also the matter of Mattie Ruane getting blown for calling a Mark and then not ‘taking’ it. Playing on in other words. Now, my understanding of the sanction for said infraction is a hop ball – as per Cian McBride against Dublin – but in this instance the Slane clubman pointed for a free to Galway. So which is it?
Whichever is deemed to be the correct punishment, the lack of clarity pertaining to the ‘offence’ merely emboldens the reality that referees need more assistance in working modern GAA, because it’s becoming increasingly obvious it’s beyond some.
Some might say it was ballsy, others might call it disloyal, but, as far as this observer would be concerned, former whistler Fergal Horgan is to be commended for highlighting the element of ignorance among a frustrating number of referees.
Accountability to players, by way of reasoned communication, is the least players are entitled to.
That, and a decent standard of umpires and umpiring. If there is (needlessly) an age limit on inter county referees, it is even more required in terms of umpires. Sometimes it appears the Bingo bus took a wrong turn and ended up at the GAA pitch.
So, having highlighted, again, what needs fixing, what areyof possible solutions? Well, sooner or later, the bullet will have to be bitten and a second referee at least trialled. That and/ expanded role for the HawkEye technology. And, for inter county games, at least two of the four umpires to be current referees.
That champion of all things Clare sport, Derrick Lynch, rightly lauded referee Sean Stack for his handling of the Munster SHC epic between Cork and Limerick. However, in both good and bad ways, small things can make huge differences.
One questionable free. Limerick sub Adam English was almost certainly fouled. In a part of the field where either Diarmuid Byrnes or Aaron Gillane would surely have nailed it. But instead, prompted by the linesperson, Stack awards the free to Cork and Pat Ryan’s team inadvertently get their insurance score therefrom to keep their season alive.
Instinct is not to lampoon either Stack or his colleague in this instance. Rather to lament that there was not more assistance available to the officials.
How many more of these pivotal incidents will have to occur before there’s an admission change is needed? Players and mentors commit too much of their lives for their fate decided by such fine margins.
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