ALL-IRELAND SFC NEWSDESPITE THE appointment of the highly-regarded Pat McEnaney as chairman of the national referees committee this year, the performance of officials in the championship continue to come in for widespread criticism.
Bernard Flynn, a two-time All-Ireland winner with Meath, was at Cusack Park in Mullingar on Sunday for Kerry’s escape against Westmeath. Flynn was not impressed by referee Martin Higgins’ performance in that game.
“I just thought it was outrageous. There were about four crucial decisions that were game-breakers and turning points there.”
Flynn specifically referred to a second-half incident when Higgins penalised Westmeath’s Ronan Foley for over-carrying. Television replays show Kerry’s Colm Cooper took the resulting free from an incorrect spot and it led directly to Darran O’Sullivan’s goal.
“The free? It was no free, absolutely no free,” Flynn continued. “There were two other frees that he never gave when Westmeath forwards were fouled inside at a crucial time when it was level. I thought it was a travesty.
“They probably should have won it – it would have been great for them. They didn’t, but the referee had a lot to answer for with four or five crucial calls. It’s the way it goes with the bigger team and the lesser team gets hammered for it.”
There were 55 frees awarded by Higgins in Mullingar – 29 for Westmeath and 26 for Kerry – with seven yellow cards, three against Westmeath players.
“If you go over 50 frees in a match, with all the other stoppages, it’s going to kill it. I’m fed up saying it. It wasn’t a dirty game, it was hard, it was intense and the referee blew for every little fiddle-faddle.
“I just thought overall he was too fussy but the biggest scandal I thought was with the crucial decisions, Westmeath were at the wrong end of them.”
Kildare’s comprehensive defeat of Cavan was another game devoid of any nasty undercurrent yet referee Marty Duffy awarded 41 frees and showed 12 yellow cards, six to each team.
“The biggest problem is fussy refereeing,” Flynn continued. “Fellas can’t even go for a ball. There are fellas who challenged honestly yesterday and one hit off the other and there were 10 or 12 frees that should have been let go and let the boys fight for the ball.”
Meanwhile, GAA director general Páraic Duffy rebuked Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney for his latest comments on the Seánie Johnston transfer saga.
“He’s a good fella,” said McGeeney, “he’s honest and tried to do everything above board. But unfortunately in the GAA, that isn’t always the way to do it. You’re better being sneaky and telling lies on different things.”
Duffy, speaking on Morning Ireland yesterday, responded: “I know Kieran McGeeney well but I have to say I’m extremely disappointed with those comments.
“The transfer was granted under rules that prevailed before Congress this year. I think the rule changes that were made means this type of situation won’t arise again.
“The player is now with Kildare. So I think the integrity of the process is beyond reproach. There was nothing sneaky or dishonest about the way that the GAA dealt with this matter.”
